Paint is everywhere – it covers and protects most everything on our planet. [Think cars, bridges, homes, tech toys, office equipment, planes, etc. – paint is truly one of the most unappreciated materials in our world today.] Due to its overwhelming use, scientists and chemists in the coatings world are constantly looking to lower the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint to reduce the environmental damage they create. What exactly do VOCs do? First, a little paint history.

In the early days of paint, products were alkyds, which are a blend of alkyls and acids. The formula was usually 20% solid paint and 80% solvents (i.e., mineral spirits). Paint products were also lead-based. Lead is a heavy metal that was found to be toxic in the 1950’s and was finally banned in 1978. In fact, our federal government estimates that 25% of the homes in America still contain hazards from lead paint and related products. Latex paint was created (using the relatively safe titanium dioxide) and a whole new era for paint was ushered in. Some of our modern paint formulas contain less than 1% solvent – and the most common solvent today is water. These innovations led to the diminishing effects of VOCs.

But what are VOCs exactly? They are carbon-containing chemical compounds that evaporate into the air. For instance, when materials such as gasoline, nail polish or paint dry, the VOCs evaporate and form with the nitrous oxides in the air to create pollutants such as smog. Inevitably, this forms increased health risks and overall air quality concerns. Since the enactment of more stringent VOC regulations in 2005 and consumers being more aware of the green movement, using low/zero VOC products has become a main goal for many paint and faux material manufacturers. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams have looked into using new raw materials (such as soy or sunflower oil) that lower the VOC rating of their water-based paints but still maintain ease of application and high performance. Sherwin-Williams has also implemented a washwater management technique in their plants that produces less waste. Ace Hardware is currently at work on the next generation of low toxicity products targeted for the DIY market: high performance, low cost. Faux product manufacturers have also taken the initiative to produce safer materials. Companies such as American Clay use natural clays, recycled and reclaimed aggregates and vibrant natural pigments to produce their plasters. Totem, a faux product line out of Canada, also touts their wide range of “green” materials to create beautiful decorative effects. However, please note that many manufacturers also offer low/zero VOC products without specifically tagging them as environmentally-friendly. A good way to make sure that the least intrusive paints are used in your home or business is to ask your preferred paint store about their more eco-friendly options. Water-based will always be safer than oil-based and there are some wonderful high performance water-based products available. If you are hiring a paint company and/or a faux finishing company, it is also a good idea to ask what type of products they use and their clean-up techniques. Good companies should be able to answer your questions solidly and be amenable to finding alternative materials to satisfy your eco-friendly preferences. Please be sure to visit government and/or manufacturer websites to learn more about clean air and sustainable design. Some sites to visit: www.benjaminmoore.com, www.sherwinwilliams.com, www.coatingsworld.com, www.americanclay.com, www.totemdesigns.ca, www.otcair.org and www.epa.gov/lead, www.greenseal.org and www.usgbc.org.

Article written courtesy of Regina Garay, Creative Director of Garay Artisans, Inc., a faux finishing firm. www.GarayArtisans.com This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without express consent of the Author.