What Are Mineral Spirits?
Mineral spirits is one of the names NIOSH lists for Stoddard solvent, along with dry cleaning safety solvent, petroleum solvent and spotting naphtha. NIOSH describes it as a refined petroleum solvent containing more than 65 percent C10 or higher hydrocarbons, and ATSDR describes Stoddard solvent as a colorless, flammable liquid that smells and tastes like kerosene.
ATSDR says it is used as a paint thinner, in some photocopier toners, printing inks and adhesives, as a dry cleaning solvent, and as a general cleaner and degreaser.
ATSDR says breathing Stoddard solvent can affect the nervous system and cause dizziness, headaches or a prolonged reaction time, and can irritate the eyes, skin or throat. It reports that OSHA has set a limit of 500 parts per million in workplace air for an 8-hour workday, and that NIOSH recommends average workplace levels of no more than 60 ppm for a 10-hour workday.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceThe NIOSH Pocket Guide lists mineral spirits as a name for Stoddard solvent, a refined petroleum solvent containing more than 65 percent C10 or higher hydrocarbons. NIOSH, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR describes Stoddard solvent as a colorless, flammable liquid that smells and tastes like kerosene. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says Stoddard solvent is used as a paint thinner, in some photocopier toners, printing inks and adhesives, as a dry cleaning solvent, and as a general cleaner and degreaser. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Government sourceATSDR says breathing Stoddard solvent can affect the nervous system and cause dizziness, headaches or a prolonged reaction time, and can irritate the eyes, skin or throat. ATSDR, CDC ↗
- Regulatory filingATSDR reports that OSHA set a limit of 500 ppm of Stoddard solvent in workplace air for an 8-hour workday, and NIOSH recommends no more than 60 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workday. ATSDR, CDC ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.