Green Sanctuary Program
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Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Green Sanctuary Program |
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Green Guide for Everyday Living http://www.thegreenguide.com/buying-guide/paint A new coat of paint can do wonders to liven up a room. When you decide to redecorate, opt for an eco-friendly, low-VOC paint won’t pollute your indoor air. Type: If you need a synthetic paint, opt for water-based latex paints, which have lower volatile organic compound levels, over oil-based alkyd paints. Natural paints aren’t synthetic and are usually made from citrus and other plant ingredients, milk protein or clay. They’re also free of preservatives and biocides. Natural paints are best suited for drier areas, as they are less resistant to mildew and molds. Milk paints are virtually odorless and are made using the milk protein casein and lime. They contain no solvents, preservatives or biocides, though some do have synthetic ingredients like acrylic and vinyl. They come in powdered form and once opened or mixed with water, they should be used quickly, as they can mold if left to stand for a few weeks. Whitewashes, which only come in white, contain only lime paste, water and salt. They are a low cost alternative that, like milk paints, are more fragile and are best applied to plaster, cement or stucco walls. Recycled paint is created when a few types of paints are consolidated into one. Because of the mixing of colors and tints, recycled paint is best suited for areas where consistent color is not required. VOCs: Check the back of the paint can for VOC levels (you can also look online for the “Manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet”). An ideal paint has fewer than 150 grams per liter. These are often labeled “low-VOC” or “no-VOC.”
A study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that indoor VOC levels were 1,000 times more than outdoor levels after painting, as the paint was drying. Another study showed that VOCs were released at a higher rate from paint that was being applied and drying than from any other product used indoors. In sunlight, some organic solvents used in paint can react with nitrous oxides in the atmosphere to form smog. California 's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) developed legislation limiting the amount of solvents used in paint because these VOCs are significant contributors to smog formation. Personal Health Issues Nothing brightens up a space like a fresh coat of paint. However, the "clean" smell of new conventional paint is actually vapors being released from the toxic solvents. Known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), these include benzene, formaldehyde, kerosene, ammonia, toluene and xylene, which are known carcinogens and neurotoxins. The more VOCs a paint contains, the stronger the odor. Exposure to VOCs can worsen asthma symptoms and cause nose, skin and eye irritation; headaches, nausea, convulsions and dizziness; respiratory problems; nerve damage; and, in some cases, liver and kidney disease. While VOCs vary greatly in their safety, ranging from those that are highly toxic to those with no known health effects, most VOCs found in paints unfortunately fall into the former category. In addition, VOCs contribute to the formation of ground level ozone and, in sunlight, some organic solvents used in paint can react with nitrous oxides in the atmosphere to form smog. California 's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) developed legislation limiting the amount of solvents used in paint because these VOCs are significant contributors to smog formation. Lead Paint Lead, a highly toxic metal once used in paint, is the number one environmental health hazard to children in the United States. Children who suffer from lead poisoning can experience learning disabilities, memory loss, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, aggression and other behavior problems. Pregnant women exposed to lead also risk harming an unborn baby, because lead crosses the placenta. |
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