Many traditional paints are toxic because they contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that pollute the air, water, and soil.
VOCs can cause respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, watery eyes, nausea, and have been shown to cause cancer, affect people's reproductive system, as well as kidney and liver damage.
These traditional toxic paints continually off gas toxins into your home (often only 50% of the toxins are gone after one year), long after the stinky new paint odor is gone.
Using a no VOC paint is especially important when painting a room, furniture, or other item going in a room for a baby, an elderly person, someone with allergies, or someone who is ill.
photo courtesy of reader of the pack flickr.com/photos/youngandwithit/3070367969/Luckily, most paint manufacturers recognize the need for non-toxic, low VOC, and no VOC paints.
Keep in mind that adding pigments, tints, or coloring to paint can often increase the VOC level of the base paint, so check the VOC level of the pigments being added to see if your paint will still be non-toxic.
Here are some resources for no VOC paints so you can have a more green eco-friendly home.
Benjamin Moore Eco Spec® is a non-toxic no VOC paint. You can purchase it at Ace Hardware Stores and other retailers.
Sherwin Williams Harmony® Interior Latex is zero-VOC. It is available at Sherwin Williams stores.
ICI/Dulux Lifemaster 2000 is a no VOC non-toxic paint. It is available at ICI/Dulux stores.
Pittsburgh Paints Pure Performance is no VOC. It is available at Pittsburgh Paint stores.
Kelly Moore Enviro-Cote is a no VOC paint. It is available at Kelly Moore stores.
Olympic Premium paints have no VOCs. They are available at Lowe's and other retailers.
Freshaire, sold at Home Depot, has no VOCs.
Mythic paint, which is available online with free shipping, has no VOCs and is non-toxic.
