As if worrying about paint color isn’t enough, now you also need to keep in mind your paint ingredients. It’s no shocker that paint can be toxic, we’ve all experienced a headache from the overwhelming smell of a freshly painted room.
But what about after that paint dries? Does paint have longterm harmful effects on our bodies and the environment? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
Because paint is often made with compounds including formaldehyde and heavy metals, repainting your wall can cause toxins to remain in your environment well after the paint has dried. Not to mention that the mass production of these products pollutes the environment.
Luckily, eco-friendly paint production has been on the rise as more and more people look to make the switch to a sustainable lifestyle. Keep reading to learn if your paint is eco-friendly and why it matters.
What Is Eco-Friendly Paint?
So going back to those chemicals mentioned above, formaldehyde and heavy metals are just a few of the chemicals that are present in paint. These chemicals are labeled as volatile organic chemicals and are present in high levels of most paint.
VOC’s are the main reason why paint has that intense chemical smell. Now paint also often contains fungicides and biocides to help prevent the growth of mildew. And although these chemicals do their job to fight against mold, they also tend to seem back into our air and even into our groundwater.
Eco-friendly paint is paint that has been made with much lower levels of these harmful chemicals, both VOCs and fungicides. If you are looking to try out an eco-friendly paint alternative, you’ll want to look for a pain that is marked with having love VOCs.
Benefits Of Making The Switch
If you are thinking about making the switch to environmentally friendly paint, but aren’t sure if it’s worth it, keep your air quality in mind. Although traditional pain does dry and that initial harsh smell will fade, these toxins can exist in your environment for up to five years.
Not to mention, that improper disposal of the remaining paint can cause environmental harm as these chemicals reach the air and ground. Eco-friendly paint is made from natural materials, such as milk, citrus, clay, and other minerals. These ingredients are way less harmful to your lungs and to the environment.
Finding The Right Brand
If you have decided to opt for environmentally friendly paint, there are some things to keep an eye out for. You’ll want to find a paint that is labeled as little to no VOCs.
You also should check to see if the paint has been certified by the GREENGAURD Environmental Institute. This is actually a great resource for checking up on your products and seeing if they are actually as eco-friendly as they advertise.
Be sure to also check the ingredients, most truly eco-friendly paint isn’t going to have heavy metal or petroleum.
Your Decision Has An Impact
Unfortunately, the current options for eco-friendly paints are minimal compared to traditional paint. But as more and more customers like you make the switch, the variety will continue to grow.
Not only are you protecting yourself from harmful chemicals by choosing eco-friendly paint, but you are also protecting the environment. Every purchase you make to support pro-environment brands continues to impact the popularity of these products.
Consider switching to environment-conscious paint for your next big project! And for all your painting needs don’t hesitate to contact us!
