How About Some Green House Paint in Many Colors!

Since we live and breath in our homes, I believe having eco-friendly “green” paints on the interior walls can really contribute to our health and that of our planet. What makes a paint “green”, other than color? Most interior paints contain harsh chemicals that make paint smell like “paint” and contribute to poor indoor air quality. These are called VOCs, volatile organic compounds.

VOC’s are chemicals low in water solubility but high in vapor pressure. Emitted as gases, VOC’s can trigger short-term adverse health reactions. Health consequences are greater for children and people with respiratory issues or compromised immune systems.

When selecting paints, look for low VOC content, lower gloss, and softer colors to reduce vapors and emissions.

The assumption that paints labeled as odor-free or containing no VOC’s are toxin-free is false. Although VOC percentages appear on labels for interior paints, primers, and chemical wallpaper strippers, federally mandated disclosure only refers to its impact as an outdoor pollutant. Although they may be harmful to humans, some ingredients are exempt from VOC labeling because they don’t negatively affect the ozone.

There are no federal regulations that detail the indoor safety of these products or identify their impact on humans. VOC concentrations can register ten times higher indoors than outdoors, but their impact on indoor air quality is not made clear from the label. However, labeling is still the only available gauge to homeowners seeking to reduce indoor toxins. Different states have different standards—California’s are the most rigorous. Major paint manufacturers are developing products to meet higher indoor-air-quality standards and respond to market demand, but many smaller manufacturers are not. The only solution is to become aware of acceptable levels and safe practices.

Always use adequate ventilation when painting indoors. Wait several days before occupying a freshly painted room. Never use exterior paints indoors, and stick with latex paint whenever possible. Buy only what you need, and safely discard the rest. VOC labeling is recent, so older cans may not list this info. Additionally, since gases continue to leak from closed paint cans, storing them for later use isn’t advisable.

Each year, cities are ranked by their outdoor pollution levels. As we become more environmentally aware, it’s important for homeowners to take a look inside as well. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside a home is, on average, two to five times more polluted than the air outside. Because we spend the majority of our time indoors, we as homeowners must realize the urgency of keeping our interior space as clean and healthy as possible. Using low or no VOC interior paint will make a big difference in your home being green and clean!

Here is an indoor air pollution check list: Indoor Air Quality Checklist

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