Paint It Green: Eco-friendly Paint
JULY 29, 2010
Color your world with paint that’s safe for the people who live in it.
Most house paints contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds). In addition to irritating skin and eyes, these compounds have been associated with a laundry list of potential health problems from kidney damage to asthma. “Green,” or “eco-friendly” paints are a smart alternative. Environmental organizations have established voluntary guidelines for “green” paint—look for the stamp from Green Seal the way you’d look for the Energy Star label on appliances.
Low-VOC paints have less than 50 grams of the compounds per liter. Many big paint suppliers make low-VOC paints. Some options: Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin Williams GreenSure and Dunn Edwards Paints.
Zero VOC paints contain 5 grams per liter or less.Some options: AFM Safecoat, Mythic Paint, The Freshaire Choice.
“Natural” paints, made from all-natural ingredients like water, plant dyes, essential oils, resins, clay, chalk, milk casein and beeswax, are the only true no-VOC option. Some popular natural paint brands include BioShield Paints, Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company and Anna Sova. Home decor sites like Mochi Home and Dwell review the best styles and colors in eco-friendly paints and provide sources for finding them; green business guides are a good resource as well.
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