Choosing Interior Paints Low in VOCs
The Environmental Protection Agency has warned that chemical vapors released from paint and many other household products "may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.
" According to the EPA, exposure to these gases, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), may cause eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches and nausea.
Studies suggest that long term exposure may result in liver, kidney, or central nervous system damage.
VOCs can come from thousands of household products, including cleaning supplies, craft materials, glue, permanent markers.
No one is sure what level of VOCs is safe.
For paints, the government has capped VOC levels at 250 grams per liter for flat finish paints and 380 grams for other finishes.
Some agencies are setting much lower levels as their standards.
In light of the possible risks, it seems prudent, especially for those with asthma or allergies or other risk factors, to keep exposure to VOCs to a minimum whenever possible.
VOCs are released during application of paints and for years afterward from the paint on walls and ceilings.
VOCs have been found indoors in concentrations up to ten times higher than outdoors.
Many people, concerned about exposure to VOCs, have turned to products with lower VOC levels.
Fortunately a great number of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints are available from most leading paint companies.
Using these paints not only reduces health risks, but also decreases unpleasant odors and air pollution.
Fortunately the cost of these environmentally friendly paints is usually comparable to traditional paints.
One way to check for paints that are low in VOCs is to look for the Green Seal.
Green Seal, an independent, science-based environmental certification agency, certifies products which it has tested and found to be eco-friendly.
The 2010 Green Seal standards for paint include the requirement that it contains less than 50 grams of VOC per liter for flat finishes and less than 100 grams for primers and non-flat finishes before colorants are added.
Colorants are added after VOCs are measured and may add as much as 50 grams per liter, although usually much less.
Paints in these ranges are referred to as Low-VOC.
The Green Seal further indicates that the paint does not contain a number of other toxic chemicals.
Some paints, which also may have the Green Seal, contain less than 5 grams per liter and are known as Zero-VOC.
Natural paints, a third category, contain no VOCs.
Another certification program is overseen by Greenguard Environmental Institute, an industry independent testing organization.
Their Greenguard certification indicates that paints have met their stringent standards for VOC emissions.
Below is a sample of some of the more popular paint manufacturers and their eco-friendly paints.
There are many other excellent low and zero VOC paints on the market.
Check the paint can label to find its VOC levels.
Popular Brand Paints with Low-VOCs Behr: Premium Plus Ultra Benjamin Moore: Aura (top ranked according to ConsumerSearch) and the "ben" line of paints (both contain Popular Brand Paints with Zero-VOC Benjamin Moore: Natura, EcoSpec WB Devore: Wonder-Pure Dutch Boy: Refresh Dunn-Edwards: Ecoshield Home Depot: Freshaire Choice Kelly-Moore: Enviro-coat, Green Coat Olympic: Premium Interior Pittsburgh: Pure Performance Sherwin-Williams: Harmony, Pro Industrial O VOC Acrylic Yolo Colorhouse Popular Brand Paints with Zero-VOC Benjamin Moore: Natura, EcoSpec WB Devore: Wonder-Pure Dutch Boy: Refresh Dunn-Edwards: Ecoshield Home Depot: Freshaire Choice Kelly-Moore: Enviro-coat, Green Coat Olympic: Premium Interior Pittsburgh: Pure Performance Sherwin-Williams: Harmony, Pro Industrial O VOC Acrylic Yolo Colorhouse Natural paints, as their name indicates, are made from natural ingredients such as plant oils and resins, plant dyes, bees wax, and minerals such as chalk and clay.
They are generally considered the safest for the environment, but may not provide the coverage and durability many people expect.
Among popular brands are Green Planet Paints, Ecos Organic Paints (in the United Kingdom), Eco Design's BioShield, and Real Milk Paint Company.
How Painters Can Reduce VOC Levels The EPA has outlined a number of ways that painters can reduce the release of VOCs during the painting process: 1.
Use water base paints and products that contain a higher amount of solids.
2.
Use proper spraying equipment, such as high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) sprayers, and spraying techniques that use less paint and therefore release fewer VOCs.
3.
Store paint in airtight containers and only open them when in actual use.
4.
Use cleaning techniques that minimize release of contaminants, such as re-using cleaning solvents, starting painting with light colors and moving toward darks to reduce the amount of cleaning needed between colors.
Choosing paints low in VOCs and following EPA guidelines while applying these paints can greatly reduce the levels of harmful vapors in your house, make it easier to move back into a room soon after painting, and improve the environment.
" According to the EPA, exposure to these gases, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), may cause eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches and nausea.
Studies suggest that long term exposure may result in liver, kidney, or central nervous system damage.
VOCs can come from thousands of household products, including cleaning supplies, craft materials, glue, permanent markers.
No one is sure what level of VOCs is safe.
For paints, the government has capped VOC levels at 250 grams per liter for flat finish paints and 380 grams for other finishes.
Some agencies are setting much lower levels as their standards.
In light of the possible risks, it seems prudent, especially for those with asthma or allergies or other risk factors, to keep exposure to VOCs to a minimum whenever possible.
VOCs are released during application of paints and for years afterward from the paint on walls and ceilings.
VOCs have been found indoors in concentrations up to ten times higher than outdoors.
Many people, concerned about exposure to VOCs, have turned to products with lower VOC levels.
Fortunately a great number of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints are available from most leading paint companies.
Using these paints not only reduces health risks, but also decreases unpleasant odors and air pollution.
Fortunately the cost of these environmentally friendly paints is usually comparable to traditional paints.
One way to check for paints that are low in VOCs is to look for the Green Seal.
Green Seal, an independent, science-based environmental certification agency, certifies products which it has tested and found to be eco-friendly.
The 2010 Green Seal standards for paint include the requirement that it contains less than 50 grams of VOC per liter for flat finishes and less than 100 grams for primers and non-flat finishes before colorants are added.
Colorants are added after VOCs are measured and may add as much as 50 grams per liter, although usually much less.
Paints in these ranges are referred to as Low-VOC.
The Green Seal further indicates that the paint does not contain a number of other toxic chemicals.
Some paints, which also may have the Green Seal, contain less than 5 grams per liter and are known as Zero-VOC.
Natural paints, a third category, contain no VOCs.
Another certification program is overseen by Greenguard Environmental Institute, an industry independent testing organization.
Their Greenguard certification indicates that paints have met their stringent standards for VOC emissions.
Below is a sample of some of the more popular paint manufacturers and their eco-friendly paints.
There are many other excellent low and zero VOC paints on the market.
Check the paint can label to find its VOC levels.
Popular Brand Paints with Low-VOCs Behr: Premium Plus Ultra Benjamin Moore: Aura (top ranked according to ConsumerSearch) and the "ben" line of paints (both contain Popular Brand Paints with Zero-VOC Benjamin Moore: Natura, EcoSpec WB Devore: Wonder-Pure Dutch Boy: Refresh Dunn-Edwards: Ecoshield Home Depot: Freshaire Choice Kelly-Moore: Enviro-coat, Green Coat Olympic: Premium Interior Pittsburgh: Pure Performance Sherwin-Williams: Harmony, Pro Industrial O VOC Acrylic Yolo Colorhouse Popular Brand Paints with Zero-VOC Benjamin Moore: Natura, EcoSpec WB Devore: Wonder-Pure Dutch Boy: Refresh Dunn-Edwards: Ecoshield Home Depot: Freshaire Choice Kelly-Moore: Enviro-coat, Green Coat Olympic: Premium Interior Pittsburgh: Pure Performance Sherwin-Williams: Harmony, Pro Industrial O VOC Acrylic Yolo Colorhouse Natural paints, as their name indicates, are made from natural ingredients such as plant oils and resins, plant dyes, bees wax, and minerals such as chalk and clay.
They are generally considered the safest for the environment, but may not provide the coverage and durability many people expect.
Among popular brands are Green Planet Paints, Ecos Organic Paints (in the United Kingdom), Eco Design's BioShield, and Real Milk Paint Company.
How Painters Can Reduce VOC Levels The EPA has outlined a number of ways that painters can reduce the release of VOCs during the painting process: 1.
Use water base paints and products that contain a higher amount of solids.
2.
Use proper spraying equipment, such as high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) sprayers, and spraying techniques that use less paint and therefore release fewer VOCs.
3.
Store paint in airtight containers and only open them when in actual use.
4.
Use cleaning techniques that minimize release of contaminants, such as re-using cleaning solvents, starting painting with light colors and moving toward darks to reduce the amount of cleaning needed between colors.
Choosing paints low in VOCs and following EPA guidelines while applying these paints can greatly reduce the levels of harmful vapors in your house, make it easier to move back into a room soon after painting, and improve the environment.