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Guide to Safer Paints and Stains

An excerpt from “The World at Home: A Household Guide to Building”
By Laura McCarthy, Program Associate
Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, 2007 www.cectoxic.org

Of all of the low-toxic materials one could choose, safer paints and coatings are an important and easy selection to make.  Standard paint contains solvents called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are released into the air as the paint dries, giving off fumes that compromise both indoor and outdoor air quality.  VOCs include benzene, xylene, propane, butane, paraffins, toluene, and styrene.  While the long-term affects of these chemicals on human health are not yet understood, there are increasing incidences of asthma and other allergic reactions in all people, especially children. Even less is known about the effects of exposures (long or short-term) to various mixtures of these substances. Lower VOC paints replace these solvents with non-toxic synthetic binders which preserve air quality and reduce the incidence health effects from VOC fumes.  Many of the first VOC-free paints were not popular because they were only available in pastels, dried much quicker, and were easier to scuff up.  Now, most manufacturers produce at least one variety of low or no VOC paint and they are increasingly durable, colorful, and cost effective.

There are many benefits to using paints with little or no VOCs:
♦  reduced ozone depleting and smog forming chemicals, with less potential to impact landfills and groundwater.
♦  water based means this paint is easy to clean-up and disposal is greatly simplified.
♦  reduced toxins during application benefit all and allows you to occupy your home sooner.
♦  cost-competitive with proven performance compared to conventional paints.

Paints and Stains can be classified in three main categories: Natural, no-VOC and Low VOC.  Natural paints are made with linseed and other plant oils and resins, plant dyes and essential oils; natural minerals including clay, talcum, and chalk, natural latex, bees wax, and milk casein.  They can also be hued with mineral pigments. These paints take slightly longer to dry, but smell much nicer!

Even "Zero-VOC" paints may still use colorants, biocides and fungicides with some VOC's and will emit an odor until they are dry.  Zero-VOC means VOCs are only present in the range of 5 grams per liter or less.  In low-VOC products, the amount of VOCs varies, and is listed on the paint can or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).  To be able to compare the VOC levels of coatings, the EPA has developed Reference Test Method 24 which measures VOC level of a coating in grams per liter of total coating without water. To meet EPA standards for “low-VOC”, paints and stains cannot have more than 200 grams per liter of VOCs, and varnish can not contain VOCs in excess of 300 grams per liter. Look for paints with the Green Seal Standard, as they are certified to be lower than 50 grams per liter.

Keep in mind that the VOC content of paint is often stated as the content for a base paint.   Pigments added by the retailer to create the color you desire can add VOC's and other potentially harmful substances. As a rule, dark and bright colored pigments are both higher in VOC content than light colored pigments.

Natural Paints and Stains These paints are naturally VOC-free and are made with natural plant oils, milk proteins, and minerals. 

Auro - full line of solvent-free, water-based natural paints and primers, finishes, stains and adhesives  www.aurousa.com  888-302-9352

Anna Sova - natural paints from milk casein and food grade ingredients as well as other healthy home products www.annasova.com  877-326-7682

EcoDesign's BioShield - a line of natural paints and finishes www.bioshieldpaint.com 800-621-2591

Green Planet Paints - natural clay based interior paints made with soy resin and Mayan clay pigments www.greenplanetpaints.com 520-394-2571

Silacote - paint from natural mineral compounds especially for use on masonry, concrete and wallboard both interior and exterior www.silacote.com 800-766-3157

The Real Milk Paint Company - colorful, non-toxic paint with milk protein, lime, clay and earth pigments www.realmilkpaint.com  800-339-9748

Weather-Bos - natural stains, finishes and paints www.weatherbos.com 800-664-3978

Zero-VOC and Low-VOC Paints and Stains
Most major paint companies now manufacture at least one line of low-VOC paint.  Some companies listed below were founded on principles of safe products and environmental stewardship, while others are larger paint manufacturers whose safer paint lines are listed here to make them easier to find. 

AFM Safecoat - Zero-VOC interior paints and primers www.afmsafecoat.com  800-239-0321

American Pride - Zero-VOC interior latex and acrylic enamel paints www.americanpridepaint.com  601-264-0442

Benjamin Moore - Pristine EcoSpec, Aura, Impervo 314 (low-VOC) www.benjaminmoore.com  www.myaurapaints.com

Best Paint Company - Zero-VOC Interior paints, primers, finishes, and Low-VOC Exterior paints and primers. www.bestpaintco.com  206- 783-9938

Cloverdale Paints – Horizon and Ecologic interior and exterior paints (low-VOC) www.cloverdalepaint.com 604-596-6261

Devoe - Wonder Pure line (low-VOC) www.devoepaint.com

ICI - Lifemaster 2000 interior and Decra-Shield exterior (Zero-VOC) www.icipaintstores.com  800-984-5444

Kelly-Moore - 1505 Enviro-Cote line (Zero-VOC) www.kellymoore.com  916 921-0165

Cohalan Company’s Keim Mineral Silicate Paint www.keimmineralsystems.com (302) 684-3299

MAB Paints - Enviro-Pure Interior line (Zero-VOC) www.mabpaints.com 800-MAB-1899

Miller Paint Co. – Acro and Super Acro Acrylic interior line (Low-VOC) www.millerpaint.com 503-255-0190

Olympic Paint and Stain - Olympic Premium interior line (Zero-VOC) www.olympic.com 800-441-9695

Sherwin Williams – Green Sure: Harmony line (Zero-VOC interior) www.sherwin.com 

Vista Paint - Carefree Earth Coat, Aurora Bond, etc interior and exterior (low-VOC) www.vistapaint.com 714-680-3800
 
Yolo Colorhouse – no-VOC interior paints, Green Seal certified www.yolocolorhouse.com 503-0493-8275

Natural, no and low-VOC Stains, Sealers, and Finishes

AFM Safecoat – zero-VOC stains, sealers and clear finishes www.afmsafecoat.com  800-239-0321

Auro - full line of solvent-free, water-based natural paints and primers, finishes, stains and adhesives  www.aurousa.com  888-302-9352

Best Paint Company - zero-voc varnish replacement and glazing products. www.bestpaintco.com  206- 783-9938

EcoDesign's BioShield - natural stains and finishes for furniture and flooring www.bioshieldpaint.com 800-621-2591

Eco-House Inc. – Natural wood finishing products for woodworkers and artists www.eco-house.com  877-ECO-HOUSE

Weather-Bos - natural stains and finishes for all applications, including waterproofing exterior wood www.weatherbos.com  800-664-3978 Vermont Natural Coatings - Toxic-free Stains for floors and furniture www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com 802-472-8500

Safer Adhesives for Floors
While natural carpets and toxic-free linoleum flooring are better for your indoor air, the adhesives used to install these materials are often problematic. The following companies produce safer, healthier adhesives with low or no VOCs:

AFM Enterprises makes a non-toxic, water-based, 3-in-1 Safecoat Adhesive, along with many other low and no-VOC products. www.afmsafecoat.com 619-239-0321

Auro USA provides All Purpose Flooring Adhesive, Natural Latex Adhesive made with milk and Organic Household Contact Glue. www.aurousa.com 888-302-9352

DAP Inc.  DAP Weldwood Adhesives are low-VOC, latex-based, non-flammable adhesives for installing carpets and tiles. www.dap.com 888-DAP-TIPS 

Franklin International makes Titebond Solvent-Free Construction Adhesive and green building adhesives that clean up with water. www.titebond.com 800-347-4583

PL Adhesives & Sealants offers “PL Premium” construction adhesive and other VOC compliant adhesives. www.stickwithpl.com 612-496-6000

Sinan Co. produces water-based “Auro” brand natural adhesive, along with many other natural paints and stains. www.sinanco.com 530-753-3104

Resources for Paints and Stains:

Clean Air Counts, an Illinois based organization working to reduce ozone depleting emissions http://www.cleanaircounts.org/lowvocpaints.shtml

EarthEasy http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm

Sustainable Building Sourcebook, Chapter: Health and Safety.  Paints and Primers.  www.austinenergy.com

Oikos http://oikos.com/products