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