When it comes time to repaint your home, you may want to consider all of the eco-friendly paint options that are on the market today. These paints are safer for children, the elderly, and your pets. They are also environmentally conscious!
Are these eco-friendly paints worth the additional price? Let’s find out!
What are volatile organic chemicals?
Everyone knows the smell of a freshly painted room. This smell is actually the odor of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs for short). Eco-friendly, natural paint has been specially designed to have lower levels of VOCs.
On the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, it states that VOCs “may have short – and longer-term adverse health effects,” and “while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.”
Although this is dependent on the duration and level of exposure, the side effects may include:
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Nausea
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Fatigue
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Headache
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Shortness of breath
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Nose, eye, and throat irritation
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Dizziness
These side effects are the reason we always stress the importance of painting in well-ventilated areas!
Although this list may sound scary, keep in mind that even traditional paints abide by certain legal standards. These standards manage toxic ingredients and keep all paints safe in your home. However, low or zero-VOC paints are healthier choices for several reasons!
Why should I choose a low or zero-VOC paint?
Any time you paint your home, your indoor air quality is threatened. The EPA estimates that the indoor concentration of VOCs can rise up to 1,000 times that of levels found outside. Although fans and open windows help the air quality, using low or zero-VOC paint can be particularly helpful in rooms with little ventilation.
When it comes to pick an eco-friendly paint, it is important to make sure that a high quality paint brand is used. Some brands advertise as being low or zero-VOC, but they fail to account for the VOCs added to the colorants or tints.
Sundeleaf Painting only uses the highest quality paint brand. We can recommend the best choice for low or zero-VOC paint for your home.
On days when it’s impossible to paint with open windows, it is much safer to use low or zero-VOC paints. Although you will still smell an odor, this odor is safe to breathe.
We especially recommend using low or zero-VOC paints in homes with children, animals and those who have sensitivities to strong smells.
Sundeleaf Painting: Portland Oregon’s painter of choice
Here at Sundeleaf Painting, we are committed to offering you the safest paint for your home. We also care about our environmental impact.
As a locally owned company, we care about our community. Our reputation is well known in the area, and we are proud to be Portland’s first choice for all of your painting needs. When it’s time to paint your home, you can count on us. Schedule an estimate online, or give us a call.
