Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's)
All-Chroma is your low VOC painter in Brampton, Burlington, Georgetown, Milton , Mississauga and Oakville
Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC's have been something the paint industry has been working hard to reduce. VOC's are the additives used in paint to improve its overall performance characteristics. The down side of these additives is that they can slowly leach into the surrounding air for a number of years and can pose a health impact. Additionally, with our Canadian climate we are not always able to open up our windows and get the required air circulation in our homes.
Well the good news is that paint manufacturers are not only reducing the levels of VOC's in their paints but in some instances eliminating them altogether. This has been achieved largely through the improvements to latex based paints. Not only are the paints environmentally friendly, but as they are water based, solvents containing VOC's are not needed in the clean-up process.
Here are some excellent tips provided by Vancouver's Eartheasy.com which has successfully marketed the simplified, sustainable lifestyle.
Read the label and product literature: Look for: VOC Content: Usually listed in grams per liter, this can range from 5 to 200. Using a product with the lowest VOC content will yield the lowest overall health risk.
Solids Content: Solids, or pigments, can range in concentration from 25% to 45% by volume. The higher the percent solids, the less volatiles in the paint.
Buy the right amount of paint for the job. Before you begin a painting project, measure the area first. Calculate the area to be painted (height x width = total square feet). One gallon covers about 400 square feet.
Re-use Turpentine and Paint Thinners. Simply allow used thinner or turpentine to stand in a closed, labeled container until paint or dirt particles settle to the bottom. Pour off the clear liquid and reuse.
Avoid Cleaning Brushes and Rollers. Paint brushes and rollers used for an on-going project can be saved overnight, or even up to a week, without cleaning at all. Simply wrap the brush or roller snugly in a plastic bag, such as a bread or produce bag. Squeeze out air pockets and store away from light. The paint won't dry because air can't get to it. Simply unwrap the brush or roller the next day and continue with the job. (This works for water and oil-based paints and stains. It does not work for varnishes or lacquers.)
Natural Brush Cleaner. Turpentine, made from the resin of coniferous trees, is an environmentally-friendly solvent. It is excellent for cleaning brushes used with oil-based paints, and for cleaning up small drips. Use a short glass jar, filled no higher than the bristles. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. After cleaning the brush, rinse with water.
Circulate. To reduce the impact of indoor air pollutants, circulate fresh air through your house as often as possible. Avoid the use of spray paints altogether. When painting ceilings, especially, be sure to provide cross-ventilation to remove paint fumes. Fumes rise as paint dries, and so with ceilings the fumes dissipate more slowly since there's no air above the paint. You can reduce fresh paint odors by placing a small dish of white vinegar in the room.
Beware Old Lead Paint. Paint manufactured before the 70's contains lead, which has harmful effects on health and development. If the paint is still in good shape, you can paint over it, or leave it be - lead is only poisonous if ingested or inhaled. If paint must be removed in small areas, wet the surface and scrape carefully. Clean up with tri-sodium phosphate (TSP). For large areas, call in a professional certified in lead abatement.
Remember the BUD rule. Buy only as much product as you need. Ask your contractor or retailer for help in assessing the quantity you need. Use all of the product before you buy more. Give leftovers to a neighbor or community organization. Dispose of leftovers in a safe, responsible manner.
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