When it comes time to repaint your home, you will want to consider all of the eco-friendly paint options that are on the market today. Not only are these paints safer for children and animals, they are also better for the environment.

So, are these environmentally conscious paints worth the cost? Let’s find out!

What are volatile organic chemicals?

Eco-friendly, natural paint has been specially designed to have lower levels of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs for short). Everyone knows what a newly painted room smells like. This odor is actually the VOCs that you are smelling.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency VOCs “may have short - and longer-term adverse health effects,” and “while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.”

Depending on the level and duration, the side effects can include:

• Nausea

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Shortness of breath

• Nose, eye, and throat irritation

• Dizziness

This is the reason it is always recommended to only paint in well ventilated areas! This may sound scary, but keep in mind, even traditional paints have to abide by certain legal standards that manage toxic ingredients. That means that all paint is safe for your home, but low and zero-VOC paint is a healthier alternative!

Choose low VOC or zero-VOC paint!

Painting can pose a threat to indoor air quality. The EPA estimates that the indoor concentration of VOCs can rise up to 1,000 times that of levels found outside. Although fans and open windows help the air quality, using low or zero-VOC paint can be particularly helpful for rooms with little ventilation.

When it comes time to choose an eco-friendly paint, it is important to make sure that a high quality paint brand is used. Some brands advertise as being low or zero-VOC, but they fail to account for the VOCs added to the colorants or tints.

On days when you can’t have windows open, it is much safer to use low or zero-VOC paints. Although you will still smell an odor, this odor is safe to breath.

This is an ideal choice for children, animals and those who are sensitive to strong smells. Plus, you will be helping the environment!

Chism Brothers Painting: San Diego’s painter of choice

Here at Chism Brothers Painting, we care about the environment, and are committed to keeping your home safe. We are cautious to keep the area open and well ventilated as we work in your home, and can provide suggestions for high quality low and zero-VOC paint brands.

As a locally owned company, we care about our neighborhoods and communities. Our reputation is well known and we are proud to be San Diego’s painter of choice. When it comes time to update your home, you can count on us to get the job done right! Set up an estimate online, or give us a call to discuss your painting needs.