Living Green with No VOCs

Springtime is just around the corner, what new projects will be added to the to do list? Splashing some paint on the walls is always a tempting option for freshening up a space, but the hidden health risks of conventional paint may not leave you feeling refreshed. Over the past few years VOCs, volatile organic compounds, have seeped into the public's conscious and made paint contractors and home renovators alike start to pay attention to ingredient lists. Living green ain't easy, so here is the 411 to clear the air on paints.

Why do VOCs have a bad rap? Their name tells us that they don't like something, and that something is staying in a single form. VOCs can essentially vaporize, transforming their ingredients into the air for us to inhale both during the application and for a few months post-application. Dependent upon a person's sensitivity, and age, paint exposure can result in irritation, respiratory issues, and disorientation. Some studies have linked repeated exposure to cancer and long-term damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Whether your goal is to reduce your chemical body burden or making living green a priority, these quick tips will help you get a start on paints.

1) Low VOC
Buyers be ware. There are no regulations in place on what the term "low VOC" means. That said, eco-labels like Green Seal and research by the EPA should help you select a low VOC paint easily. The highest VOC level determined as 'safe' by the EPA is 150g/l. Green Seal also provides a listing that can help you determine the type of paint you are selecting and the highest VOC content recommended.

2) No VOC
For those who don't want to worry about VOC levels, why not just cut them out? Living green has various shades, and these options along with the ones below are a deeper shade than conventional paints by a long shot. This should be clearly labeled and Green Seal certified.

3) Milk Paint
Milk paint, or casein paint, is actually made from a protein found in milk. It is an odorless paint that is non-toxic, and has been used for quite some time. Although a bit more expensive in most cases, you can mix this paint as needed saving you money.

4) Other based paints
There are other paints on the market, but they typically do not have the longevity of low to no VOC paints or milk paint. These paints are typically water or oil based and have various plant derivatives. Reviewing the ingredient lists is always a good idea, as additives can have similar health risks to conventional VOC paint.

Other things to consider when building green are the odors and recycling options for leftover paint. All About Home offers a paint calculator that can help the planning process. Reviewing each paint option's different purposes and strengths regarding porous surfaces, exterior and interior use, and other factors will be helpful to find the best living green paint option.

Thank you to Natural Home, Home Depot, and various low VOC and Milk Paint companies for information.


Photo Courtesy of Natural Organic Baby.