In “Going Green Part One” I shared my experience of touring a “green home.” “Green” or environmentally friendly homes are growing in popularity and once you’ve been in one you can toss out any preconceived notion that “green homes” are merely glorified shacks.
While I may never live in one, I did find a few “green” ideas that I could apply to my existing home, including using “green” paint. We all know one of the easiest ways to perk up a room is with a fresh coat of paint. However, how many times have you attempted to brighten up a room only to have your mood darkened by a headache from the paint fumes?
According to environmental specialists, paint is one of the biggest contributors to poor indoor air quality. It is mainly due to the fact that standard paints and finishes typically contain numerous chemicals, such as formaldehyde, mercury, benzene, and occasionally lead and chromium. Studies show the combination of chemicals releases volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can produce physical problems, such as eye and skin problems, headaches, nausea, respiratory problems and liver damage, especially for individuals sensitive to chemicals. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to standard paints and finishes that can make life more pleasant for you.
Low-or-no VOC Paints. They are considered “durable, high performance products.” And, the best part: they are offered by most major paint manufacturers such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams, and can be found in large retail stores.
“Natural” Paints. I have also heard them being referred to as “green” paints—-“green” as in environmentally friendly. They are made from ingredients including citrus oil, pine resin, and oil of turpentine. However, even these “natural” products may irritate sensitive people. Another option is paint made from milk protein (casein). It is biocide-free, nontoxic, and VOC-free, and mainly used in hospitals and schools.
Natural Plasters. These products are nontoxic, made with plant- and mineral-based materials, and often contain recycled content.
Reclaimed Paint. This product is made from 90% post-consumer waste. It’s “reclaimed” from pickup sites. From there the paint is filtered, mixed, and repackaged. While reclaimed paint is a “green” product (or good for the environment), it still contains high amounts of chemicals, so experts do not recommend using this type of paint indoors.
Many people tend to shy away from alternative paints because they think they are more expensive than traditional mid-to-high quality conventional paints, but the good news is the price is comparable, ranging from $17 to $30 a gallon.