Tis the time of the year to bring out your paint can! As summer approaches,many people will use this opportunity to enjoy the warmer weather, take avacation, and finally tackle that long awaited home improvement. If re-painting your house, whether that be interior or exterior, is on the list, there are several steps to note to keep this process as environmentally friendly as possible.
Paints and finishes, according to the EPA, have been considered one of the top five hazards to human health and the environment. Not only do they release hazardous toxins upon use, but they can also continue to release low-level toxic fumes into the air for years after application.These toxic fumes are a result of a variety of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), which are traditionally essential to the performance of the paint. Research shows that there are 300 toxic chemicals and 150 carcinogens potentially present in oil based paint. The fumes from these chemicals can easily accumulate in closed spaces while painting, irritating the eyes, skin and lungs. Fortunately, with a new wave of consumer concern and stricter environmental regulations, many manufacturers have switched their focus to low-VOC and zero-VOC paints and finishes. Although this technology has been around as long as high-VOC and lead-based paints, the eco-friendly paints are easy to use while providing benefits for you and the environment.
When preparing for your paint job, always:
1) Check the VOC level (stick to below 50g/l, grams per liter, for most eco-friendly);
2) Do not buy more paint than is necessary-donate leftovers or dispose of them responsibly;
3) If your house pre-dates 1978, check with your local lead inspectors to take necessary precautions;
4) Use a non-toxic paint stripper when applicable. Biodegradable, water-soluble, noncaustic and nontoxic products are now available.
EarthEasy.com provides a quick list of the benefits of non-toxic paints and an extensive list of distributors:
Health- Reduced toxins benefit everyone, including those with allergies and chemical sensitivities.
Environment- Reduces landfill, ground water and ozone depleting contaminants.
Effective– Low-VOC products perform well in terms of coverage, scrubability and hideability (covering flaws on previous coats).
Water-Based- Easy cleanup with soap and warm water.
Little or No Hazardous Fumes– Low odor during application; no odor once cured. No off-gassing. Painted areas can be occupied sooner, with no odor complaints.
Not Deemed Hazardous Waste- Clean up and disposal greatly simplified.
Below is a shopping guide of non-toxic or low-toxic paint choices
(Note: Refer to our GreeniacsGuide, Use Eco-Friendly Paint, for a more extensive introduction to the different types of non-toxic paint):
Natural Paints and Finishes
The Real Milk Paint Company -non-toxic paint made with milk protein, lime, clay and earth pigments. (www.realmilkpaint.com)
Aglaia – Natural finishes for manyapplications, from high quality wall paints to specialty paints for plasters orglazing. (www.aglaiapaint.com)
Livos – Organic paint, stains, oilsand waxes made using all natural ingredients. Coatings are linseed oil andcitrus oil based, non-toxic, low VOC and are designed primarily for wood.(www.livos.us)
Auro – Solvent-free, water-basednatural paints and primers, finishes, stains and adhesives. (www.aurousa.com)
EcoDesign’s BioShield – Line ofnatural paints and finishes. (www.bioshieldpaint.com)
Weather-Bos – Line of natural stains,finishes and paints. Blends of natural oils and resins designed to adhere tothe wood, forming a monolithic bond. (www.weatherbos.com)
Silacote – made from natural mineralcompounds, for use on masonry, concrete and wallboard; interior/exterior.(www.silacote.com)
Anna Sova – natural paints from milkcasein, titanium dioxide and food-grade ingredients. (www.annasova.com)
Green Planet Paints – natural claypaints for interiors using unique Mayan clay pigments. (www.greenplanetpaints.com)
Zero VOC-
AFM Safecoat – Flat interior latex; semi-gloss interior enamel. (www.afmsafecoat.com)
ICI Lifemaster 2000 – Flat, Eggshell, semi-gloss interior; primer.
Best Paint Company – Zero-VOC Interior paints, primers and specialty products (faux glaze, varnish replacement, etc) and Low-VOC Exterior paints and primers. (www.bestpaintco.com)
ICI Decra-Shield – exterior zero-VOC paints. (call 800 984-5444)
Kelly-Moore Enviro-Cote – ENVIRO-COTE line of paints are zero-VOC. (call 916 921-0165)
Devoe Wonder Pure – odor-free interior acrylic latex paints. (www.devoepaint.com)
Dunn-Edwards Ecoshield – Zero-VOC, low odor, ethylene glycol-free interior paints. Primer, flat, low-sheen, and semi-gloss. Manufactured by Dunn-Edwards. (www.dunnedwards.com)
American Pride – Zero-VOC interior latex and acrylic enamel paints. (www.americanpridepaint.com)
Sherwin WilliamsHarmony – new HARMONY line of zero-VOC low-odor latex interior paints. Flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and primer. (www.sherwin.com)
Frazee Paint EnviroKote – line of interior zero-VOC paints: semi-gloss, flat, and primer.
Allied Photo Chemical – supplies zero-VOC, UV-curable paints, inks and coatings to manufacturers.(www.alliedphotochemical.com)
Olympic Paint and Stain – Zero-VOC Olympic Premium interior line.
Yolo Colorhouse – Zero-VOC, low-odor, premium interior paint. (yolocolorhouse.com)
Green Planet Paints – Zero-VOC, clay-based interior paints. (greenplanetpaints.com)
Benjamin Moore Pristine EcoSpec -Zero-VOC, under 1 gram/liter. Flat, eggshell, semi-gloss finishes and a primer.
Homestead Paints – Zero-VOC, flat and low-sheen interior paints. (homesteadhouse.ca)
Low VOC-
Benjamin Moore Aura – Low VOC’s, covers most surfaces in a single coat, durable, scrubbable. (www.myaurapaints.com)
Benjamin Moore Saman – water-based wood stains
Cloverdale Horizon – Flat, Eggshell, Semi-Gloss interior enamels
Cloverdale EcoLogic – Low VOC’s, under 10 grams/liter. Flat, Eggshell, Semi-Gloss interior.
MAB Paints – Enviro-Pure Interior Latex Zero VOC line
Miller Paint – Acro Solvent Free Interior Acrylic line
Vista Paint – Carefree Earth Coatline
PPG Architectural Finishes – Pittsburgh Paints Pure Performance line
