Surface finishes Part 2 – Interior paint & health

As a simple rule of thumb if any package or container has a warning symbol on it or recommends against contact with skin – don′t use it.  This generically means it contains chemicals that are hazardous to health in some form.  Conventional paint can be a mixture of carcinogens and neurotoxins; formaldehyde, kerosene, benzene, toluene, ammonia and xylene.  To help with the drying process, chemical solvents are also added which have alkyl phenols in them, associated with altering hormones.  Some paint additives such as mildew restrictors contain Mildecide, known to provoke allergic reactions in some people.  These additives are all hazardous to health, either through long exposure over time or in concentrated amounts.

Even water based paints aren′t angelic as matt emulsion, vinyl matt (the name gives that one away) and soft sheen all contain chemicals and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air when applied to the surfaces. Any paint that is not water based such as oil, alcohol, alkyd, petrochemical etc, contains much higher levels of VOCs than latex and water based.  You may think it′s safer to use water based paints instead, and yes they are a better alternative.  However water and latex paints tend to have more chemicals in them to compensate for the lack of oil, solvent or petrochemicals.  So the lesser of two evils really.  Low or ZERO VOC paints are still made with chemicals, however the manufacturer has lessened the amount of toxic vapours they release.  Again not the perfect choice as they are not 100% natural, but a good step in the right direction.

Avoid:  Acrylic resin, Ammonia, Ashphalt chlorobenzene, Ethylene, Kerosene, Formaldehyde, Methylene chloride, Petrochemicals, Polyurethane, Trichloroethylene, Toluene, Vinyl chloride, Xylene.

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