What is “VOC” paint?

It is no great revelation that paint contains harmful and toxic chemicals. The toxins in paint come in several forms. “VOC” stands for “volatile organic compounds”. These are the particles that are leached into the atmosphere and can make us sick, and affect the ozone layer.  It’s the VOC’s that create the high when one huffs paint. Oil based paint contains more VOC’s than water based.  The VOC’s deminish as the paint dries, but then as the paint ages, more VOC’s are given off over time.

Your paint can be "green"

There are other chemicals in paint that are equally as harmful such as formaldehyde and benzene.  These substances are found in most store bought paint and with certain exposure can lead to kidney and liver damage, increase miscarriages, sperm abnormality, and asthma.

So what can you do?

Luckily there are more and more companies that are offering alternatives to harmful paint products.

Here is a list of companies that offer no-VOC products with a link to their sites:

Milk Paint: Has been around for over 100 years. Comes in powder form-you add water. It is made of milk, and minerals.  I love the consistency of this paint-I can mix it with anything and it gives a unique look not attainable with any other product. By far, the least toxic of all the “safe paints”. Only disadvantage is that you have to use what you mix within a few days because it contains no preservatives.

Uses: originally used to paint naked wood, milk paint now offers products and additives that allow you to paint any surface including walls as well as top coats and sealers.

AFM Safecoat: This company offer a wide range of products from no VOC polyurethane to no VOC primer. They can match any color and they paint is high quality. One of the few companies that offer exterior products

Uses: any surface- walls, floors, including deck stain and top sealer coats

Mythic Paint: Paint for walls and ceilings-very good quality

Uses: walls, furniture, ceilings

Home Depot Fresh Air: May be the least expensive of all the other interior paints. I have not personally used this paint before since it is fairly new to my knowledge.

Uses: walls and ceilings

Yolo: Wonderful paints. They have a special section just for kids and babies rooms. The only disadvantage is that there are not many Yolo dealers-I would be hesitant to have paint delivered in extreme temperatures.

Uses: walls and ceilings.Offers interior and exterior paints

Totem: This company offers products for the decorative painter such as glazes and plaster products. Their product line is very extensive and their reviews from other decorative painters are good

Uses: Specialty decorative painting, plasters,glazes, lime based products, varnishes and top coats interior and exterior

I am sure there are many companies I have missed as new lines and products seem to be springing up daily.

If you are planning to paint a room-especially a children’s room-please consider using healthy products.

As a cancer survivor, I am very conscience of the products I expose myself to every day. Because of that, and because I care about the health of my clients,  Marietta Mural & Wall Design uses safe and health conscience products wherever possible. Please see my web site or contact me for more information

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