Why Choose Zero-VOC Paints?
June 23, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Green Living
The easiest answer to the above question is why not? It’s silly to NOT choose a zero-VOC paint when there are so many currently available.
WHY SKIP VOCS IN PAINT:
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted by a variety of liquid and solid synthetic materials. According to the EPA, VOCs can cause, “Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system, and cancer in humans.” They also note that, “Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.” Wow VOCs are super fun no?!
VOCs are found in tons of products you may have around the house from household cleaners to plastics to cosmetics to building materials and more. See a list of all the VOCs (pdf). While it can be tricky to avoid VOCs, paint related VOCs is one issue that many companies have made easy to avoid. This is good new because VOCs are much worse indoors than out. Various studies have shown that indoor VOCs average 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor VOC levels. Shockingly, after immediate exposure to some activities, like paint stripping, levels in your house can be up to 1,000 times greater than outdoor levels. In fact the EPA states that household levels of VOCs may be 1,000 times higer than outdoor levels for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint stripping.
The bottom line – VOCs are not healthy or necessary when it comes to paint. If you’re painting your interior, look for a zero-VOC paint. There are also low-VOC brands available, but with zero on the market, why not use it?
ZERO-VOC PAINTS FOR WALLS & OTHER HOME PROJECTS:
- Freshaire
- earthBorn Claypaint
- earthBorn Casein Paint
- proAqua Eggshell
- Homestead House VOC free paint
- Baby Safe Finishes
- Anna Sova Healthy Paint, Texture and Stucco
- Mythic Paint
- BioShield Healthy Living Paints
- Yolo Colorhouse
- Green Planet Paints
- Old Fashioned Milk Paint
- Kinder Paint
There – 13 lovely reasons to go VOC-free.
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