Still the materials used in our modern dopes are toxic if exposed for a long period of time in a closed area. Bottom line is make sure you have good ventilation. I use a 20" Box fan from Home Depot ($20) in the window for inside work bush coat, then do the spray coats outside (wear a mask even with dope).

It's not just "modern" dope, "vintage" dope has the same or worse things in it. All the various finishing materials used in model airplanes carry significant chemical exposure risk. There's some notion that "modern" finishes are somehow dangerous and require a lot of PPE, and dope is a "safe" alternative. Dope is dangerous in a different way, but the precautions recommended are about the same. People think it is "safe" only because it was commonly used before safety was a relevant factor and most people get away with it.

    I had a discussion with a few people in PAMPA about some Stunt News articles that were claiming about how modern finishes were dangerous and dope was "safe", one in particular being a pretty vicious attack put in the nastiest possible terms that really went over the top, and another highly self-serving. Both types of paint are generally unsafe to breath or get on your skin, implying otherwise (particularly in the terms that were used) was not up to SN standards. We get away with it because of very short and rare exposures, not because it is safe.

      Brett

Maybe that is my problem.  Used to dope planes in my bedroom with the door closed.

We're high on the real thing: powerful gasoline, a clean windshield, and a shoeshine.

I've used dope for more than 50 years. I always wear a mask and am careful with it. Just foolish to do anything else.