In house painting in Danville, making the space look good is not the only thing that’s important — nowadays, feeling good should also be considered. The paint industry has responded to the growing health and environmental concerns, so paint manufacturers have come up with so-called “green paints.”
“Green paints,” of course, do not necessarily mean green-colored paints (although they are available in shades of green, too). The term refers to paints that do not cause considerable harm to health or to the environment. They are typically more expensive than conventional paints. Nevertheless, they have become more and more popular, despite having a comparatively small market for it.
These eco-friendly paints have little or no amounts of the volatile organic compounds, or VOC, which is defined as organic compounds that emit chemical gasses or vapors — and these are toxic.
Most conventional paints contain VOC’s. You know the smell of a freshly-painted room, right? When the paints have been dried, they give off that overpowering, noxious odors that can lead to headaches, dizziness, or maybe even vertigo. Paints containing VOC’s can be trouble for those who have an allergy or respiratory problems, and they shouldn’t be applied when there are children, the elderly, or pregnant women around. That’s why the importance of paints with low or zero VOC’s are stressed when it comes to these situations.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits the VOC levels to 250 grams per liter (g/L) for flat, latex paints. Paints that are labeled “low VOC” should not exceed 50 grams per liter, while “no-VOC” paints should have 5 grams or less per liter. So it pretty much means that they are not as toxic as the traditional paints that contain high amounts of VOC.
Before you get too excited about buying those paints, remember that the label “low VOC” may be a little misleading — some experts conclude that low-VOC paints are still not safe enough. A research team composed of scientists from Harvard University and Sweden’s Karlstad University recently discovered that kids, aged one to five, who sleep in their bedrooms painted with low VOC paints are two to four times more prone to allergies and respiratory ailments like asthma.
Zero VOC paints, on the other hand, emit no strong odors and contain virtually no toxins. These paints are gentle to senses and produce no allergens or carcinogens whatsoever. They are durable and provide solid coverage just like the conventional paints. You may not need to cover your face with a mask while applying them to the surface.
Most eco-friendly paints with low or zero VOC’s contain natural ingredients which include:
- Milk proteins
- Linseed oil (from flax seeds)
- Citrus (particularly lemon or lime)
- Clay
- Plant dyes
- Vegetable oils
- Collagen from eggs
Paints with low VOC’s are great for all areas of the house, while paints with zero VOC’s are ideal especially for nurseries or children’s rooms. You will have no trouble breathing when your home is painted with these eco-friendly paints.
If health is of utmost importance to you and your family, get yourself a “green paint” the next time you’re going to do house painting in Danville.
