Household Paint Buying Guide
A quick guide to strategic product selection
Background
Household paint and stain can be highly toxic. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) puts paint on its top-five list of environmental hazards.
The main hazard from paints is from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which include chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.
What makes paint “green” is the elimination of toxins in its make-up. When paint contains less of, or, even better, is free of toxins, humans and the environment are at less of a risk of toxic exposure.
Quick guide
When buying paints and stains, look for the following:
- Low or no VOCs (see below)
- The "Green Seal" or "GREENGUARD" labels (see below)
► Paint products on Eco-rate are rated according to VOC levels and purchase price. The product with the highest Average Eco-rating contains the least amount of VOCs at the lowest price. The product with the highest Toxicity Rating contains the least amount of VOCs when compared with the other products. The product with the highest Price Rating has the lowest purchase price when compared to the other products. Click here to see our featured products.
Paint toxicity
VOCs
The airborne chemicals released during painting, after the paint is dry, and as paint is removed, fall into a category of pollutants known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are potentially carcinogenic, carbon-based chemicals that evaporate easily and contribute to indoor air pollution. VOCs are released in the highest concentrations during paint application, but most paint will continue to emit harmful fumes for years afterwards. They can be up to 10 times more concentrated indoors than outdoors
VOC limits
Due to environmental regulations and increasing consumer demand, paint companies have developed new household paints that emit little or no VOCs. This is achieved by using water as a base instead of traditional, petroleum-based oil solvents.
"Low-VOC" paints must meet the EPA standard of a maximum 200 grams volatile compound per liter of paint. Varnishes are awarded a limit of 300 grams. The United States Green Building Council's LEED for Homes program requires 150 gal/L VOC limit for non-flats and 50 gal/L VOC limit for flats.
A handful of paints whose manufacturers claim they contain zero VOCs are now on the market. One is Mythic, which sells for $35 to $45 per gallon at independent dealers nationwide.
VOCs in colorant
Many people are not aware that they can increase VOC levels by adding colorants to the base paint. For most paints, the darker the tint, the higher the VOC of the final blend. Even with a "zero-VOC" paint, one should note that when any color pigment is added at the point of sale, the VOC level climbs as high as 150 g/l, according to ICI Paints, which manufacturers Freshaire Choice. But the makers of Mythic and Freshaire Choice both say that the color pigments used in their finishes contain no VOCs.
Other toxins
Check to make sure that the paint and stain products you buy contain little or no formaldehyde, ammonia, or acetone—non-petroleum compounds that can adversely affect indoor air quality. Biocides and fungicides that prevent mildew growth and extend the shelf life of paint are also commonly added, despite their toxicity and their tendency to off gas for years after application.
Labels
Green Seal
Green Seal is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving environmental standards for paint and other products. Green Seal's program meets the criteria of ISO 14020 and 14024, the standards for ecolabeling set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO); the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's criteria for third-party certifiers of environmentally preferable products; and the criteria for bona fide ecolabeling bodies of the Global Ecolabeling Network.
Look for the Green Seal on paint products to ensure low-VOC paints are used in your home. Green Seal ensures that VOC limits do not exceed 50 grams per liter (less than half the VOC content of typical paints).
Green Seal's GS-11 measure
The first edition of GS-11 prohibited 25 chemicals such as toluene, benzene and formaldehyde. But with the rapid growth of formulation technology, Green Seal wanted to expand this list to eliminate the possibility that a chemical could be used that was as harmful or potentially worse than the 25 chemicals on the list. Hazardous air pollutants and ozone-depleting compounds are prohibited by the measure, as are carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxins.
Additionally, Green Seal’s updated GS-11 is the first paint standard in the U.S. to require reduced VOC levels of colorants. By adjusting the levels of VOCs allowed in base paint and including criteria for colorants, the GS-11 standard ensures that even a heavily tinted paint will still contain minimum VOCs.
The effective date for these new requirements will coincide with the new VOC limits for paint in the recently approved Suggested Control Measure approved by the California Air Resources Board, effective January 2010.
GREENGUARD
The GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification Program is an industry-independent, third-party testing program for low-emitting products and materials. To date, more than 170 manufacturers across various industries offer GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® Products. Looking for the GREENGUARD certification is another way you can be assured that the paint and stain you buy contain less toxins.
Alternatives to petroleum-based paints
Clay
Clay paint is composed of earth-based minerals and uses mostly water as a natural paint solvent. Colors range from natural earth tones to an assortment of blue, white, and orange tints. Clay paints adhere readily to most surfaces found inside a house, requires only two coats like most standard paints, and also function as an effective odor-absorber. The downside is that these paints are usually more expensive than petroleum-based paint and do not come in as wide a range of colors or textures.
Lime wash
A reasonably inexpensive alternative to traditional paint is lime wash. Limestone, a calcium-based mineral, is combined with water to form a simple, natural paint that is the basis of all whitewashes. Lime wash can be used indoors or outdoors and forms a unique, glowing finish that comes in a variety of colors. Surfaces that take well to lime washing differ from traditional paint surfaces because lime wash actually sinks into its subsurface, leaving a coat of calcium crystals that wears off the surface over time and creates a antique look. Because of this, lime wash can only be used with porous materials such as brick, wood, plaster, and concrete—drywall and painted surfaces do not take lime wash effectively. Lime wash is applied in thin coats, several of which may be needed for a thorough paint job. Although 100% natural, limestone is corrosive to both eyes and skin, so wear gloves and goggles during application.
Milk
Casein, a protein found in milk products, is separated from the milk and mixed with water, clay, and earth pigments to form a thick paint. Casein paint is a form of tempera paint, a fast-drying egg-based paint that has been in use for hundreds of years. Today, it is purchased in a dry, powdered form. The powder must be mixed with water and then used immediately (usually within hours to days) to prevent the paint from clumping before it reaches its destination. Milk, like clay, is intended as an interior paint and only comes in a matte finish.
Eco-friendly paint brands
- BioShield Paint
- earthBorn Paints
- Ecos Organic Paints
- Safecoat
- St. Astier Lime Paints
- YOLO Colorhouse
- Bejamin Moore "Natura"
- Freshaire Choice
- Mythic
Proper paint disposal
Try to re-use or donate your unwanted paint. If you must dispose of it, contact your local hazardous waste center to determine where and how you can dispose of your paint. DO NOT DUMP OR THROW PAINT AWAY - IT IS TOXIC.
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