Why does paint contain VOCs?
The paint and emulsions industry has historically used various VOC’s to create solvents and pigments. That overpowering odor that invades your senses when you paint? You guessed it – VOC’s. The smell is the solvents evaporating; a process called off-gassing, that continues long after the paint is dry, emitting toxic vapors into your home. Oil-based paints have the highest level of VOC’s but they are also present to a lesser degree in latex paints. Exposure to VOC’s can cause eye and throat irritation, nausea, dizziness, headaches, and even trigger asthma attacks. Long term exposure has been linked to cancer and kidney disease. No wonder the EPA named indoor air as one of the top five health risks! The good news is that high quality; easy to use paints are now available in Low to Zero VOC’s in a large selection of colors and finishes. These paints emit fewer fumes while you are painting and none after the paint dries. Samarra’s favorite? Benjamin Moore’s Aura. A low-VOC acrylic paint (M
