No VOC’s Please

What do tempura, milk, oil, limewash, clay and latex have in common? Names of earthy crayon colors? Maybe, but more importantly, they are each the base component of various sustainable paint products. Crazy? Not so much. In the last several years, alternative paint products have made solid progress. In the early 1990’s, green paints failed to take hold, but products have improved and green paints much are much more effective, on the whole.

Seattle is, apparently, the green capital of the US. Surely, its mecca reputation has much to do with its love affair for research and thoughtful application. Here’s a strange tidbit for those who are looking at options…Sometimes, no VOC (volatile organic compound) paints are only ‘no voc’ until color is added. Each colorant has its own VOC content, which varies widely and will boost the overall paint VOC’s accordingly. Some brands offer pigments without VOC’s, as well. Several brands have recently come up with this option to compliment the no VOC paints. The rumor mill says ‘Mythic’ brand is a good bet. No VOC’s in their pigments, either. Same w/ Aura’s low and YOLO’s (Greenseal certified) no-VOC paints.

The demand for safer, more environmentally responsible paints has tipped manufacturers and legislatures to offer an array of choices. According to the EPA, concentrations of toxic pollutants inside the home are many times higher than what’s lurking about outside, largely due to lack of ventilation indoors. Asthma, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, cancer and heart disease are all potential side effects of indoor air pollution. It’s no wonder when you consider that common paint additives are fungicides and biocides- to prevent mildew growth and extend the shelf life of paint. Several states have banned oil based paints, known to have higher levels of VOC’s.

Though sustainable paints have come a long way, they have not been perfected. One woman in Bothell had a frustrating experience recently. She has chemical sensitivities and, at the tail end of her recent extensive remodel, had a no-voc product applied in her family’s home. The painters found out that the product did not spray well (a major, well known brand). She had to have everything repainted by hand, which set the timeline back extensively and made for much ado and stress. Ouch.

So how do we weigh ecological and toxicological risks vs performance? While the oil paints off- gas at a much more toxic level, they are reputed to stop emitting after a couple of weeks (where the latex will slow- emit for years) and then last much longer than latex. Many painters I talk with like the oil paints significantly better- they wear well, last longer and look better. That said, I read recently that professional decorators are 40% more likely to develop lung cancer. Ouch again. A local paint supplier told me that homeowners are all over the eco-friendly options. It’s often pro painters that are resistant to changing their established systems and using new products.

Latex and oil are not the only avenues for beauty. Clay paints have an earth tone theme stemming from various blue, white and orange tints. Clay is for indoor application only and can be expensive. Lime paints (formulated via limestone- a calcium based mineral) are an indoor/outdoor product that create an antique look. The limewash sinks into the surface and leaves a coat of calcium crystals. They’re good on porous surfaces, but drywall and paint don’t take the limewash effectively. Milk Paint (casein)- a protein is extracted from milk and mixed with water. Clay and earth pigments form a thick, eco-friendly paint. It’s a form of tempura, which, purchased in powder form, must be mixed with water and used immediately to prevent clumping.

Eartheasy provides a list of low voc paints. Greenseal.org provides a list of certified paints and coatings. LEED and Greenguard certifications are helpful to look for, as well. For the last 4 years, we’ve chosen to apply only no or low voc paints in our home with varying degrees of success. The first attempt many years ago- a no-VOC primer, was a bust. Though I could apply it indoor in the winter, it just didn’t take well or cover like it should have. Since then, we’ve had very good luck, though we have only hand painted and not sprayed any product. We’ll forgo the oil and keep it safe. No to ‘form over substance’! A little messier and much more content.