What are low VOC paints?
Paints low in VOC, or volatile organic compounds, do not significantly off-gas, or vaporize at normal temperatures, releasing potentially hazardous chemical compounds into the atmosphere. The most common VOC is methane, a greenhouse gas. Common artificial VOCs include paint thinners, dry cleaning solvents, semiconductor cleaner, and some constituents of petroleum fuels (eg. gasoline and natural gas). VOCs are considered a factor in indoor air quality issues such as sick building syndrome and are generated by photocopiers, carpets, furnishings and finishes as they are used or when components oxidize.
