| You know the smell of new paint, the one that | | | | Today almost every paint manufacturer offers at |
| gives you a slight headache? That's the smell of | | | | least one variety of non-VOC paint. |
| the paint releasing toxin-containing fumes which | | | | VOCs are measured in grams per liter (g/L). While |
| may be harmful to you and your family. For | | | | standards vary somewhat, national regulations |
| those with chemical sensitivities and allergies, | | | | limit VOC content of flat paint to 250 g/l and |
| these hidden pollutants can make life extremely | | | | non-flat to 380 g/l. Although it's almost impossible |
| difficult, and they aren't good for the rest of us. | | | | to make a completely toxin and VOC free paint, |
| The EPA estimates over 10,000 Americans are | | | | it's not hard to find safer alternative: "No VOC" |
| killed annually by indoor air pollution, and one | | | | paint is typically considered anything less than 5g |
| source of this pollution are the toxic VOCs | | | | L. "Low VOC" paint is anything less than 50g/L. |
| (volatile organic compounds) that are released | | | | Keep in mind that adding color can increase the |
| from new building materials, paints and other | | | | VOC levels. |
| finishes as they "off-gas". In addition to | | | | The cost of low and no-VOC paints is usually |
| respiratory and eye irritation, headaches and | | | | around the same as a manufacturer's premium |
| muscle weakness, VOCs have been linked to | | | | paint line. There are many benefits to choosing |
| serious conditions like liver disease and lung cancer. | | | | these paints – they are effective and long |
| Studies have found that when paint is drying, | | | | lasting, have reduced toxins and fumes (low odor |
| indoor air can contain VOCs at levels up to 1,000 | | | | and no off-gassing means higher indoor air quality), |
| times that of outdoor air. | | | | and they have environmental advantages as well. |
| How can you reduce your family's exposure to | | | | Using low and no-VOC paint reduces groundwater |
| these chemicals? Well, the good news is that, as | | | | pollutants and ozone depleting contaminants. They |
| the links between health effects and air quality | | | | can be easily disposed of because they aren't |
| have become better understood, environmental | | | | considered hazardous waste, and, being |
| regulations have gotten stricter. And with | | | | water-based, they clean up easily with soap and |
| consumers becoming more aware of the health | | | | water. |
| issues, the demand for less toxic paints has gown. | | | | |