We just painted our bedroom, living room, and kitchen, and I have to say it made a huge difference in the way the house feels, and how we feel in the house. But how will we continue to “feel” in the house? Did you know that indoor air is three times more polluted than the air outside? According to the EPA, indoor air quality, or more correctly the lack of quality, is considered one of the top five hazards to human health. Paints and finishes, even for years after application, release low levels of toxins into the air, making them among the leading causes of poor air quality. These toxins, called VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, used to be necessary in the performance of the paint coverage and wearability.
Luckily though, there is enough demand for low and no-VOC paints and finishes that more companies are offering these product lines which are durable and cost-effective. Costs are not only decreased because of the paint themselves, but also because of reduced health issues and costs incurred for doctor visits and medications due to migraines, allergies, and other maladies. Being green and sustainable is about more than just energy costs. It’s about health, and life cycle costs – costs not only affecting our pocket books, but costs to our health and our planet. These low or no-VOC offerings also help to reduce landfill, groundwater, and ozone contaminants. Lastly, they are not deemed hazardous waste, so cleanup and disposal are greatly simplified. Once the can is empty, it can be rinsed out and recycled with other recyclables.