Non-toxic Paint Q's And A's Continued

Question: It is true that once paint is dry it is no longer a hazard to the health

of those around it? Answer: Some of the answer to this question was covered in the first volume. Most people don't realize that paint emits harmful chemicals even once it is dry to the touch. A fair bit of scientific research has pointed to the fact that even dry paint is still emitting toxins. Home tests are available for those who are interested in finding out what toxins are being released in there homes and where. Based on the volume of published studies, governments, especially those of European nations, have taken action pertaining to the toxins that the poisons in paint continue to affect people once the paint has dried. Especially in wet and warm climates, where the interaction of the air with the finish is more vigorous, the ongoing emissions are very substantial. So, basically, even years after application, dry paint continues to be a toxic hazard to those around it.

Q: What's so harmful about dry paint? A: Paints are complex chemical formulations that are too often over-engineered. Since performance, not health, is often the first priority, we wind up with a lot of unnecessary poisons in paint, poisons that are supposed to do certain performance based things customers want. Performance things like scrubbability or hardness that are not necessarily bad things. Behaviors like kill bacteria in the can so the paint lasts longer on the shelf; anti-skinning agents so the paint doesn't get a film in the can; drying agents so we don't have to wait too long for it to dry; antifungal agents so it doesn't mildew; solvents; coalescents; resins and numerous additives all designed to meet a particular need.

The problem occurs because many of the synthetic chemicals used to achieve these effects are toxic. And, these additives can be suspended in acetone, naptha and similar poisons. Benzene, mercury, and formaldehyde are also sometimes added to paints, and all of this in the service of covering our walls!

Somehow consumers and paint manufactures need to find balance with paints that don't jeopardize health or the environment, while still being high performance and priced reasonably. Totally innocuous paint is probably unrealistic. Even natural soap stings our eyes if we don't close them! But it is important to realize that there are some paints and some paint companies that do offer healthier paints that are more sustainable and responsible for the consumer. Sourcing materials and making paint locally can also help save on costs and on the threats to the environment.

Standing in Lowe's or Sherwin Williams I ask myself, "Is this product safe from manufacture to the landfill? Do I want my kids playing on this paint? Will this paint damage my baby's nervous system?" I'm not willing to take those risks. I'm going with pure acrylic, clay paint, tree resins, lime paint and plant oils. These components are some of the best the world has to offer currently and performance can be responsibly balanced with health and sustainability.

by: Tom Rioux

POST COMMENT

Work From Home Careers: Ethical Bookkeeping Cholesterol And Diet Purchasing Art For The Home The Burden Of Acne Treated With A Homemade Acne Treatment Bank Of America To Freeze Home Foreclosures The Rocky Mountain Called Colorado Real Estate Herman Miller Aeron Chair - The Perfect Chair Or A Major Blooper From Herman Miller? Working As An Independent Contractor From Home Areas To Consider When Building A Custom Home Buying Home Theater Systems On The Web One Of The Most Over Looked Items In Real Estate Called Credibility Home Remedies For Genital Warts New Home Buyer's Top Financing Options