Entries tagged with “VOC's” from enrgPATH Grassroots
What Are VOCs?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. They include a variety of chemicals, some of which have short- and/or long-term adverse health effects. A common source of VOCs in the household is interior wall, trim and ceiling paint.
Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include1:
conjunctival irritation (red, irritated eyes)
nose and throat discomfort
headache
allergic skin reaction
shortness of breath
declines in serum cholinesterase levels (a chemical involved in the transmission of nerve impulses)
nausea and vomiting
nose bleeds
fatigue
dizziness
"Indoor air is 25-100 times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered to be one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes." --www.eartheasy.com
Low-VOC Doesn't Mean Non-Toxic
We are advised not to use toxic paints, but to use the new, improved, low-VOC type because it contains "less" of the bad stuff.
By now, most of the major paint companies have complied with EPA guidelines by reducing the amount of dangerous VOCs to acceptable levels. But are these paints really safe?
Contaminants not considered to be VOCs still find their way into paint. For example:
Some paints contain ammonia and acetone, which are highly dangerous to human health, but are not required by law to appear on the label.
Fungicides and biocides are toxic chemicals used to prevent mildew growth. They may be good for the paint, but they're bad for your health.
These chemicals contaminate both indoor and outdoor air for five years or more after the product has been applied! Further, some paint companies, in their pursuit to reduce VOCs, have added more chemicals (usually toxic) to mask the offensive paint smell!2
Environmental Certifications
Green Seal, Inc., Washington, D.C., is an independent, non-profit organization working to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion.
LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a registered trademark and program of the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Green Building Rating System 2.0 was developed for the U.S. Department of Energy to help guide commercial building projects in green and sustainable design. Many public and private buildings are now being built to LEED standards.
Chemicals To Avoid:
Ammonia: Used as a mildewcide to inhibit bacteria and mold, as a pigment solvent, and to help the paint "flow" off the brush or roller. Ammonia is an eye and respiratory irritant.
Crystalline Silica (beach sand): Added to paint for color or texture. Considered a carcinogen if inhaled (can occur when sanding or scraping).
Formaldehyde: Used as a mildewcide, especially in kitchen and bath paints. Formaldehyde is a respiratory irritant and probable carcinogen.
Glycol Esters: Used as a solvent to help pigment mix more easily into paint bases. Can be absorbed through the skin and, with prolonged exposure, can cause organ damage.
Heavy Metals (cobalt, cadmium): Used as pigments, drying agents or biocides. These chemicals are neurotoxins and can also damage the liver and kidneys.
Phthalates (dibutyl phthalate): Used to give the paint better spreadability. Can cause eye and skin irritation. Toxic when inhaled or ingested.
Toluene (methyl benzene): Used as a paint solvent. Toluene can negatively affect the nervous system, kidneys and heart.3
Caution: Even low- and no-VOC paints
can contain these toxins
For More Information:
Greenseal.org
Eartheasy.com
Greenhomeguide.com
Sources Cited:
1Epa.gov
2Greenbuildingsupply.com
3Motherearthnews.com
Compiled by: Emily Karsjens, Resource Manager
Center on Sustainable Communities
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. They include a variety of chemicals, some of which have short- and/or long-term adverse health effects. A common source of VOCs in the household is interior wall, trim and ceiling paint.
Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include1:
conjunctival irritation (red, irritated eyes)
nose and throat discomfort
headache
allergic skin reaction
shortness of breath
declines in serum cholinesterase levels (a chemical involved in the transmission of nerve impulses)
nausea and vomiting
nose bleeds
fatigue
dizziness
"Indoor air is 25-100 times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered to be one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes." --www.eartheasy.com
Low-VOC Doesn't Mean Non-Toxic
We are advised not to use toxic paints, but to use the new, improved, low-VOC type because it contains "less" of the bad stuff.
By now, most of the major paint companies have complied with EPA guidelines by reducing the amount of dangerous VOCs to acceptable levels. But are these paints really safe?
Contaminants not considered to be VOCs still find their way into paint. For example:
Some paints contain ammonia and acetone, which are highly dangerous to human health, but are not required by law to appear on the label.
Fungicides and biocides are toxic chemicals used to prevent mildew growth. They may be good for the paint, but they're bad for your health.
These chemicals contaminate both indoor and outdoor air for five years or more after the product has been applied! Further, some paint companies, in their pursuit to reduce VOCs, have added more chemicals (usually toxic) to mask the offensive paint smell!2
Environmental Certifications
Green Seal, Inc., Washington, D.C., is an independent, non-profit organization working to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion.
LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is a registered trademark and program of the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Green Building Rating System 2.0 was developed for the U.S. Department of Energy to help guide commercial building projects in green and sustainable design. Many public and private buildings are now being built to LEED standards.
Chemicals To Avoid:
Ammonia: Used as a mildewcide to inhibit bacteria and mold, as a pigment solvent, and to help the paint "flow" off the brush or roller. Ammonia is an eye and respiratory irritant.
Crystalline Silica (beach sand): Added to paint for color or texture. Considered a carcinogen if inhaled (can occur when sanding or scraping).
Formaldehyde: Used as a mildewcide, especially in kitchen and bath paints. Formaldehyde is a respiratory irritant and probable carcinogen.
Glycol Esters: Used as a solvent to help pigment mix more easily into paint bases. Can be absorbed through the skin and, with prolonged exposure, can cause organ damage.
Heavy Metals (cobalt, cadmium): Used as pigments, drying agents or biocides. These chemicals are neurotoxins and can also damage the liver and kidneys.
Phthalates (dibutyl phthalate): Used to give the paint better spreadability. Can cause eye and skin irritation. Toxic when inhaled or ingested.
Toluene (methyl benzene): Used as a paint solvent. Toluene can negatively affect the nervous system, kidneys and heart.3
Caution: Even low- and no-VOC paints
can contain these toxins
For More Information:
Greenseal.org
Eartheasy.com
Greenhomeguide.com
Sources Cited:
1Epa.gov
2Greenbuildingsupply.com
3Motherearthnews.com
Compiled by: Emily Karsjens, Resource Manager
Center on Sustainable Communities
Why Buy Alternative Paint?
The interior paints used in most homes today contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and other toxic chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. Some symptoms of VOC exposure may include nausea, shortness of breath, nose and throat irritation, and dizziness.2
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has said that the levels of these VOCs are approximately twenty-five to one hundred times higher indoors than outdoors, and that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors.3
One way to decrease your family's exposure to these health hazards, and to use products that are "green" or better for the environment, is to use paints that contain no (or at least less) toxic compounds.
Three Types of "Green" Paint
Natural Paints and Finishes1 -
Made from water, plant oils and resins, plant dyes and essential oils, clay, chalk and talcum, milk casein, natural latex, bees' wax, and/or mineral dyes.
Contain no VOCs or harmful chemicals.
Water-based products give off almost no smell. Oil-based products usually have a pleasant fragrance of citrus or essential oils.
Allergies and sensitivities to these paints are very uncommon.
The safest for human and environmental health.
Zero VOC1 -
According to EPA standards, "Zero VOC" paints contain 5 grams VOCs or fewer per liter.
Some manufacturers may claim "Zero-VOCs," but these paints may still use colorants, biocides and fungicides that contain some VOCs.
Adding a color tint usually brings the VOC level up to 10 grams/liter, which is still quite low.
Low VOC1 -
These are water-based instead of petroleum-based like traditional paints, so levels of harmful emissions are lower.
Must not contain more than 250 grams VOCs per liter. Varnishes must not contain more than 300 grams VOCs per liter.
Contain no, or very low levels, of heavy metals and formaldehyde.
Amount of VOCs varies among different "low-VOC" products, and is listed on the paint can.
Low VOC paints will still emit an odor until dry. If you are particularly sensitive, make sure the paint you buy contains fewer than 25 grams/liter of VOCs.
Paint Recycling
You can take further advantage of chemical recycling programs (and usually save money) by buying recycled paint. There are two types of recycled paint products:
Re-blended paint is 100% post-consumer content. Originally available only in beige or brown, new technology now offers a wider variety of colors. Although the paints are screened and remixed, you're never entirely sure what types of paints have gone into the mix. Re-blended paints, therefore, can't be tested for wear or longevity, but they're perfect if you have a lot of area to cover.
Reprocessed paint is mixed with new resins and colorants to create a paint that performs about as well as new paint. Check the label for the recycled content: reprocessed paints can contain as little as 20% reused material.
The downside to choosing recycled paint is that you'll be using the older, higher-VOC paint, but you'll know that you're doing the planet a favor by saving resources and landfill space.
Paint Company Examples
Natural Paints1
Aglaia
Livos
Auro
EcoDesign BioShield
Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company
Sawyer Finn Natural Milk Paint
Silacote
Sinan
Zero Voc Paints
AFM Safecoat
ICI Lifemaster 2000
Kelly-Moore Enviro-Cote
Devoe Paint Wonder Pure
Ecos Organic Paints
Sherwin Williams Harmony
Frazee Paint EnviroKote
Rodda Paint Co. Horizon
McCormick Paint
Low Voc Paints
Benjamin Moore Pristine EcoSpec
Cloverdale EcoLogic
Duron Paints Genesis
For More Information:
Greenseal.org
Environmentalhomecenter.com
Metaefficient.com
Buildingforhealth.com
Greenerbuilding.org
Sources:
1Eartheasy.com
2Greenbuildingsupply.com
3Epa.gov
Compiled by: Emily Karsjens, Resource Manager
Center on Sustainable Communities
www.icosc.com
Interior Paint Alternatives
The interior paints used in most homes today contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and other toxic chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. Some symptoms of VOC exposure may include nausea, shortness of breath, nose and throat irritation, and dizziness.2
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has said that the levels of these VOCs are approximately twenty-five to one hundred times higher indoors than outdoors, and that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors.3
One way to decrease your family's exposure to these health hazards, and to use products that are "green" or better for the environment, is to use paints that contain no (or at least less) toxic compounds.
Three Types of "Green" Paint
Natural Paints and Finishes1 -
Made from water, plant oils and resins, plant dyes and essential oils, clay, chalk and talcum, milk casein, natural latex, bees' wax, and/or mineral dyes.
Contain no VOCs or harmful chemicals.
Water-based products give off almost no smell. Oil-based products usually have a pleasant fragrance of citrus or essential oils.
Allergies and sensitivities to these paints are very uncommon.
The safest for human and environmental health.
Zero VOC1 -
According to EPA standards, "Zero VOC" paints contain 5 grams VOCs or fewer per liter.
Some manufacturers may claim "Zero-VOCs," but these paints may still use colorants, biocides and fungicides that contain some VOCs.
Adding a color tint usually brings the VOC level up to 10 grams/liter, which is still quite low.
Low VOC1 -
These are water-based instead of petroleum-based like traditional paints, so levels of harmful emissions are lower.
Must not contain more than 250 grams VOCs per liter. Varnishes must not contain more than 300 grams VOCs per liter.
Contain no, or very low levels, of heavy metals and formaldehyde.
Amount of VOCs varies among different "low-VOC" products, and is listed on the paint can.
Low VOC paints will still emit an odor until dry. If you are particularly sensitive, make sure the paint you buy contains fewer than 25 grams/liter of VOCs.
Paint Recycling
You can take further advantage of chemical recycling programs (and usually save money) by buying recycled paint. There are two types of recycled paint products:
Re-blended paint is 100% post-consumer content. Originally available only in beige or brown, new technology now offers a wider variety of colors. Although the paints are screened and remixed, you're never entirely sure what types of paints have gone into the mix. Re-blended paints, therefore, can't be tested for wear or longevity, but they're perfect if you have a lot of area to cover.
Reprocessed paint is mixed with new resins and colorants to create a paint that performs about as well as new paint. Check the label for the recycled content: reprocessed paints can contain as little as 20% reused material.
The downside to choosing recycled paint is that you'll be using the older, higher-VOC paint, but you'll know that you're doing the planet a favor by saving resources and landfill space.
Paint Company Examples
Natural Paints1
Aglaia
Livos
Auro
EcoDesign BioShield
Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company
Sawyer Finn Natural Milk Paint
Silacote
Sinan
Zero Voc Paints
AFM Safecoat
ICI Lifemaster 2000
Kelly-Moore Enviro-Cote
Devoe Paint Wonder Pure
Ecos Organic Paints
Sherwin Williams Harmony
Frazee Paint EnviroKote
Rodda Paint Co. Horizon
McCormick Paint
Low Voc Paints
Benjamin Moore Pristine EcoSpec
Cloverdale EcoLogic
Duron Paints Genesis
For More Information:
Greenseal.org
Environmentalhomecenter.com
Metaefficient.com
Buildingforhealth.com
Greenerbuilding.org
Sources:
1Eartheasy.com
2Greenbuildingsupply.com
3Epa.gov
Compiled by: Emily Karsjens, Resource Manager
Center on Sustainable Communities
www.icosc.com
Interior Paint Alternatives
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