Green Options

So, you are thinking about adding a splash of color, maybe you are getting a room ready for a new child or repairing some old walls.  Being the mindful person you are, you’re probably considering one of the many Low/No VOC paints we see on the market today.  I’m here to help you weed through the labels and find the truth regarding these paint options.

Typical household paint may contain upwards of 300 known toxic chemicals (half of which have been linked to cancer) and a total of more than 10,000 total chemicals.  Yikes.  VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are the worst offenders in the paint chemical category.  VOCs continue to seep out into the air we breath for many years after being placed on a surface.  How’s that for “new nursery smell”?  (Image by Napalm Filled Tires on Flickr under CreativeCommons.)

Many homeowners love do-it-yourself home projects, but are the products we use such as paint and wallpaper, non-toxic and safe?  We all want our homes to be free of cancer-causing toxins, especially when it comes to the decor we choose.  Not only is it important for adults, it is critical to use sustainable and green products around any area where children and pets play. Do we really want to decorate a nursery room or a recreation room with potentially toxic substances? I think not. But, how do you choose the right kind of non-toxic paint and wallpaper?

Fortunately we can now buy paints that low in or free of VOCs, or volatile organic compounds.  This is so important because the paints that do contain VOCs still release toxins years after they have dried. One hasty decision at the home improvement store can have very long lasting effects.  Non-toxic paints have significantly less odor that can spark allergic reactions, headaches and, nausea.  Make sure you are buying paint that is low on the VOCs or free of VOCs entirely.  Do this by reading the labels or asking your paint retailer. I have used C2 LoVo myself with wonderful results. The paint fume smell was non-existent. I was a very happy, green customer.