What Paint VOCs Are & Why They're Dangerous to You Near Fairfield, Milford, Stratford, Greenwich

Painting and how VOCs Work

VOC stand for Volatile Organic Compounds which vaporize into the air you and your family breathe, are found in car exhaust, human-made and natural compounds, and can be dangerous to humans and pets. The VOCs are emitted when paint dries (for example, benzene which is also in car gas) and can cause headaches, dizziness, kidney and living damage, and according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they may be carcinogens, or cancer causing agents.

VOC levels are highest immediately after painting but can continue to be emitted for years after you’ve finished painting. This is because all 3 ingredients that go into making paint, contain VOCs: the pigment  (gives paint its color), binder (helps the pigment stick to the walls) and solvents (thinner that keeps the paint liquid).

Growing public knowledge about the hazards of VOCs have led many paint companies big and small, to create low and zero VOC paints now on the market. Be sure to do your research as they all have different levels of VOC, different coverage results and varying degrees in ease of paint application.

Also beware that the tern low-VOC and no-VOC are not closely regulated, so look up the amounts listed in each paint to get as complete information as possible about what you are  using. The EPA considers paints with less than 250 grams per liter for latex paints to be considered low-VOC. A Green Seal Certified paint the maximum VOC content should be less than 150g/Liter.

Eco Friendly Paint Options and Advantages

Eco-friendly paints are great because they can be a healthier version than their high VOC counterparts and nowadays there are many different kinds.

For example Milk Paint uses a milk base and has a creamy, natural tone to it when applied. It's best used when a natural, warm feel is desired in a room as the color is generally warm and is great to use as a faux finish. Milk paint is durable, natural and has a porous finish. 

Clay based paints use - yup you guessed it - clay as it's base! The base is made with natural clay which is great to use on stucco and other textured surfaces. It tends to have a matte finish and can be applied with a paint or roller. Tough stains can be difficult to get off of clay paints but it gives a great, natural finish.

A Lime Wash is a water based paint which gets good coverage but can be tricky to apply with good results. Several coats are typically recommended because it is a thinner kind of paint.

Natural paints can be less toxic than their counterparts, leave a nice finish and give you peace of mind that with this decision you're making your home healthier for you and your family.

Contact CT Painters today about getting a free price estimate using ecofriendly paint options.

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