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Paints and Finishes Whether you paint your own home or have it done by a professional, painting your home should be a pleasurable experience. "When I first began looking at all the colour options for my living room, I was so excited," recalls Jenny Hyman, who moved into her new apartment in 2000. "But when I found out about the toxic emissions from many paints, I decided to spend a bit more money and buy a natural paint. I haven’t regretted my choice at all. My living room looks beautiful and I know its safe for me and my family." In the Can We are all familiar with the smell of new paint. It comes from solvents in the paint known as volatile organic compounds (VOC's), such as benzene, styrene, toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde. Some VOC's are carcinogenic or neurotoxic. They are also associated with other symptoms, like headaches, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and eye, skin and airway irritation. Wood finishes, such as stains, varnishes, lacquers and polyurethane, may also contain solvents that are also VOC's. Oil-based products are the worst in terms of the amount of fumes they may release. Safety First If will need to sand any of the paint and your home was built before 1970, test the paint for lead. Sanding paint that contains lead will send fine lead-laden dust particles throughout the house! Lead poisoning can cause the lowering of IQs, learning disabilities, hearing impairment, reduced attention spans, aggression and other behaviour problems. All painters should wear a special mask for painting (don’t use a dust mask as it will trap fumes near the mouth and nose). Pregnant women should not paint! Fumes inhaled by the mother can pass through the placenta and harm developing babies. Allow time for off-gassing of fumes, even if you use the healthier paints and finishes, listed below, before occupying a newly painted room. It’s best to paint when it's warm enough to keep windows open, with fans turned on to push the fumes out and bring fresh air in. If you want to use up very old paint, find out whether that brand contains phenylmercury, a known neurotoxin. Safer Paints When shopping for paints, look for the following types of paints that emit fewer fumes than conventional paints, especially those that are oil- based. Alkyd-based paints and latex paints are much safer, but some still have high levels of VOC's. "Low-VOC" paint, stain or sealants are formulated which restrict the amount of chemicals labelled as carcinogenic that may used to levels lower than those required by federal regulations. While these paints may still emit fumes, it's usually at far lower levels than conventional oil-based and water-based paints. Some companies even formulate their low- VOC's so that they won't emit any fumes. "VOC-free" or "No VOC" paints don't emit any fumes but generally cost more. "Low-biocide" paints are 90 to 95 percent free of biocides, which include dangerous preservatives and fungicides. However, low- biocide paints are more prone to mould, and should not be used in damp areas, like the basement or bath, unless there’s plenty of sunlight and ventilation. Natural or organic paints are made from citrus and other plant oils. They are free of synthetic chemicals. Water-based natural paints are, therefore, less resistant to mildews and moulds. Natural oil-based enamel paints can be used in humid areas instead. These paints can contain aromatic ingredients, such as the citrus-based solvent d-limonene, turpentine, tung oil or pine resins, which can cause reactions in sensitive people. Natural milk paints are odourless, and made from milk protein (casein) and earth pigments such as lime and clay. They come in powdered form, to be mixed with water. Milk paints contain no preservatives or biocides and should be applied quickly after mixing.
Ask question, read labels You can determine the VOC content of paint by reading the label. It is usually expressed in terms of grams per litre. The most environmentally-friendly choice is to buy a paint with no VOC's. But if the paint you need for the job contains VOC's, try to choose a paint no higher than 250 grams per litre for latex, and if you must use oil-based paint, no higher than 380 grams per litre. These numbers are usually on the label or on the official product literature. If these numbers are not available, consider choosing another brand.
Painting tips
Proper clean-up and disposal of paint If you've used latex paint, wash brushes and rollers in the sink with soap and warm water. Don't rinse your brushes on the grass or in the gutter-it could end up in a nearby creek where it could harm fish and wildlife. Take the lids off of any empty latex paint cans and let them dry, then throw these into the rubbish with the lids off. If you have paint left, check with neighbours to see if they need any. Any unused portions may also be taken to the Hazardous Waste Collection Centre (call for times and directions). If you've used oil-based paint, take unused portions to your City's collection facility. Solvents used to clean equipment should also be taken to the City's collection facility for disposal. Do not rinse brushes or equipment on the ground or in the gutter.
(Table from The Green Builder Sustainable Sources 1994-2000)
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