Painting is perhaps the most popular home remodeling project of all. It uses common skills and equipment, and creates a large change for a relatively small investment of time and money. Until recently though, most paints still contained harmful substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
This is not the first time paint formulas have been changed for the sake of public health. Until the 1970s, many paints contained pigments made with lead, a heavy metal. It helped the paint dry more quickly and last longer, but its use was linked to serious health problems, especially in small children. Lead paint was prohibited from indoor use in the US in 1978. The legal limit for lead content in paint is now one-half of one percent by weight.
If you are concerned that your house may still contain lead-based paint, buy a test kit at any hardware store or building supply center. If you find high levels of lead, call your local health authority or pollution control agency for advice on eliminating it.
Although paint manufacturers got the lead out years ago, they still use VOCs. Most are petroleum-based solvents, which help the paint flow smoothly and dry quickly. The gases released by these paints contain acetone, ethylene, methylene chloride, toluene, and xylene.
These are listed as sources of indoor air pollution - and some paints can take years to finish “offgassing.” Small children, pregnant women, and people with allergies or asthma are especially sensitive to strong odors, including those given off by VOCs. But anyone can sense the effects that VOCs have on their health. Exposure to VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and eye irritation. Over the long term, this kind of exposure can lead to damage in the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
To turn a painting project into an exercise in environmental improvement, look for finishes with lower levels of volatile organic compounds. These products have water-based mediums instead of petroleum-based solvents, and generally contain little or no formaldehyde.
In order to claim low VOC content, the manufacturer must show their content in consistent terms. The current limits allowed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are 200 grams of VOCs per liter of paint or stain, and 300 grams of VOCs per liter of varnish. Those numbers are higher than the actual levels for many products, which may have as little as 50 grams of VOCs per liter. Paints with the lowest certified levels of volatile organic compounds carry the Green Seal (GS11) mark.
No two kinds of conventional paint are quite the same, but they have a lot more in common than any two paints that offer environmental benefits. The reason is simple: major paint manufacturers have competed on price and performance, which has led to most of them creating very similar products. When the goals of health and safety are just as important, more options become available.
Materials used in these new paints range from chalk and talcum to natural latex to clay to mineral dyes to milk casein to beeswax to plant oils and resins. While some people may be allergic or sensitive to even these products, they have far fewer adverse health effects. Water-based paints have generally lower odors, and some paints that use natural oils for a medium are actually pleasant to smell.
Manufacturers include (in alphabetical order) American Formulating and Manufacturing (AFM), Aglaia, Allied PhotoChemical, American Pride, Anna Sova, Auro, Benjamin Moore, Best Paint, BioShield, Cloverdale, Devoe, Frazee, Green Planet, ICI, Kelly-Moore, Livos, MAB Paints, Miller Paint, Olympic, PPG, Real Milk Paint, Sherwin Williams, Silacote, Vista Paint, Weather-Bos, and Yolo Colorhouse.
Some of those names will be familiar; most well-known brands now offer environment-friendly options. Other names may be new to you, but give them a look as well. If you want to support companies that make safer, healthier products, you may prefer to buy from one that is dedicated to the same goals.
Large building centers will stock at least a few paints with low VOC content. Independent paint stores are likely to have a greater variety of brands and range of quality, if perhaps higher prices. In some cities, specialty retailers carry environment-friendly building products of all kinds. These may be the best places to explore your options before you buy.
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