Painting Techniques: Sustainable Painting

VOC's (volatile organic compounds) are often found in many indoor paints that have an adverse affect of the air quality of the environment. The smell often experienced when painting comes from VOC's. These compounds are often additives to the paint mixture and become gases at room temperature. Side effects of VOC's are headaches and allergic reactions. Many paint companies today are working towards creating low to zero VOC paints. Regardless of the VOC level in the paint, be sure to keep the work space well ventilated. It is important to keep in mind that many of the VOC emissions occur after the paint has dried.

Paints with low to zero VOC's can cost up to 50% more than paints with average VOC levels.

AMF Safecoat is the leading paint company in regards to sustainability.

VOC's are not the only thing to be concerned about. Paints also contain HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants). While a paint may contain low to zero amounts of VOC's it can still harbor HAP levels. HAP's have a similar adverse affect on the respiratory system and space's air quality. It is important to look over a paint's specific MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) to know exactly what a paint is made up of.

Common VOC's + HAPS include:
-Ethanol
-Ammonia (does not have to be included on an MSDS sheet according to the EPA)
-Biocides which lead to the growth of formaldehyde. Paints with biocides are intended for exterior use.
-Formaldehyde
-Oder masking agents

Green Depot (located at 222 Bowery at Prince Street) is one of Manhattan's leading ecofriendly paint suppliers. Their Ivy Coating line is the most popular.

Benjamin Moore has just begun to distribute their ecofriendly paint line with low to zero VOC paints called EcoSpec.

-Hayden