Lesley Claymore-Wam wrote:Obviously not into health and safety there then!

Matt emulsion is bad enough but vinyl silk?! That's got quite a lot of nasty chemicals in it as plasticisers. Not good on skin or eyes and I don't think it's even water soluble - how on earth they got that off is beyond me.
Fear not, vinyl silk is just another water based emulsion finish and would rinse away with water (although, granted, quite a lot might be needed). Emulsion paint might irritate some people's skin and eyes, but is generally harmless as long as you don't swallow it. This is not, however, a recommendation.
Incidentally, I believe it is real. I seem to remember Bill referring to it in an old post somewhere (can't find it) - something about Brian using 'old emulsion paint he'd found under the stairs'.