Eco-Friendly Paints
If you are expecting a new baby, you are probably thinking about painting a nursery. Often anxious about the strong-smelling, conventional paints, many parents are looking for eco-friendly alternatives. Today, there are a number of brands of low-odor paints with reduced VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
What are VOCs?
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are the solvents in most paints that are responsible for the odor in paint, and contribute to both indoor pollution and the depletion of the ozone. VOCs include substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, kerosene, ammonia, toluene, and xylene. Volatile Organic Compounds vary greatly in their toxicity from highly toxic to substances with no known health effects. For the most part, the VOCs found in paint fall into the highly toxic category. They are generally known as carcinogens and neurotoxins. Exposure to VOCs can lead to eye and skin irritation, headaches, nausea, respiratory problems, and nerve damage to name a few troubling health risks.
There are also a number of environmental implications of VOCs. They contribute to the formation of ground level ozone and indoor air pollution. VOCs are also significant contributors to smog formation. Although latex paint produces less VOCs than alkyd paints (oil-based), it accounts for 87% of all indoor paint sold in the U.S.
How do you know if there are VOCs in paint?
The general rule of thumb is that the more VOCs a paint contains, the stronger the odor will be. The majority of household paints fall under two categories: alkyd or water based. Alkyd paints, used for high-gloss applications or to minimize mold growth in high moisture areas, contain approximately 32-42% VOCs, compared to 2-5% in latex paints. However, latex paints often contain other preservatives, fungicides, and dangerous solvents in them to fend off mold and mildew, extending shelf-life.
Many consumers are turning to eco-friendly paints for both the health and environmental benefits of NOT using paints with VOCs and other harmful substances. Whenever possible, it is best to avoid oil-based paints, even if they are labeled low-VOC, and use latex paints instead. Although more costly, there are a wide variety of natural paints available on the market. Natural paints are usually made from citrus and other plant ingredients, milk protein or clay. A disadvantage of using natural paints is that they generally take a lot longer to dry and often need several coats. Natural paints are best suited for drier areas, as they are less resistant to mildew and molds.
What about Lead Paint?
Lead, a highly toxic metal once used in paint, is the number one environmental health hazard to children in the United States. Children who suffer from lead poisoning can experience learning disabilities, memory loss, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, aggression and other behavior problems. When pregnant women are exposed to lead, their developing fetus is also subject to exposure because lead crosses the placenta. If you live in an old house and suspect that lead paint was once used, it is a good idea to have the walls professionally tested, and the lead paint removed if present.
Some Good Ideas…
- When painting indoors, wear a respirator or face mask, and open all windows to let out the fumes. It takes most paints at least six weeks to fully dry and off-gas. Many house plants, such as spider plants, peace lilies, palms and rubber plants, help absorb odors given off by paints by converting the VOCs to oxygen.
- Pregnant women should not paint
- Stay out of the area until after the paint has dried. It is advisable to wait at least 48 hours before moving into a freshly painted room.
- Keep all paint products in their original containers and do not leave them open when not in use.
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