Buy Better Paint Now
Responsible Purchasing Guide for Paint
The production and disposal of paint has serious environmental impacts, but what's on the wall also affects the indoor environment. Green the paint where you live and work by choosing environmentally-preferable products.
| Green Seal website | Lists certified options—including special paint lines from several major manufacters |
| Eartheasy website | Lists a number of natural, low VOC and zero VOC paints and finishes—some of which are Green Seal certified |
| Green Planet Paints | |
| Ecological Paint | |
| American Clay | All natural clay plasters |
Why It's Important:
There are serious health and environmental concerns surrounding paint. Using paints that are free of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and toluene, free of heavy metals such as lead or cadmium, and/or made of post-consumer recycled content can aid in reducing exposure to toxics both for you and your environment.
The potent smell of fresh paint actually comes from the vapors released from the toxic ingredients used as solvents in conventional paints known as VOCs. While there is considerable range in the toxicity of VOCs, many are known carcinogens and neurotoxins; exposure to most VOCs can also exacerbate asthma as well as eye, nose, throat, and skin irritations, and can induce headaches, dizziness, respiratory problems, and even liver and kidney disease. VOCs are also environmentally destructive, as they contribute to ground level ozone (smog), indoor air pollution, and the tainting of groundwater during the wearing process. Fortunately, paints with reduced levels of VOCs or even VOC-free are available.
The fact that a paint is VOC-free does not necessarily mean that it is free of toxics such as formaldehyde, ammonia, acetone or odor masking agents. If it contains masking agents, then that's just another unnecessary chemical that is hiding whatever effects may be occurring. Thus, it is important to consider levels of toxic ingredients such as heavy metals in addition to VOC levels.
Learn More
- The Green Guide's Product Report on Paint (subscribers only) - more info on the problems with paint, what to look for on labels and how to use paint safely.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Sources of Indoor Air Pollution - more on those damn dirty VOCs and why they're so dangerous.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - report on indoor air pollution
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