With more eco-friendly choices becoming available in paint stores, it’s important to explore the options.
Look at ingredients.
According to the EPA, indoor pollution is a major problem because of poor ventilation. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released when people paint. VOCs can cause of variety of health issues like dizziness, nausea, and even cancer. Most environmentally healthier paints contain oil and water instead of harsh chemicals, and they have the same effect as regular paint.
Choose natural paint.
Natural paint is really just paint without harsh chemicals. Clay paint is made of minerals like chalk. Although it uses water as a solvent, it can be used on most surfaces with one or two coats. All the same, clay paint is usually expensive. A cheaper alternative is lime wash, which is limestone mixed with water. It can be used indoors and outdoors which is a plus because many eco-friendly paints are not tough enough for the outdoors--- which is the reason for the chemicals in other paints. Go to your local paint store to see more options –there are many interesting choices, even milk paint!
Remove paint.
If you see paint chips on the bathtub or on the side of the house, make sure to repaint. If it’s lead paint, remove it before repainting surface to lessen risk of contamination. Old lead paint chips contribute to lead dust, in which particulate matter aggravates the lungs. Removing paint can be a hassle, so be sure to wear disposable goggles, gloves, facial masks, shoes, head covering, and coveralls, so you can throw it away since it’s contaminated with lead. Professionals can test to see if lead paint was used, and they can help you remove it.
Paint stores like Benjamin Moore and Home Depot will help you find greener paint…but usually, if you can’t pronounce the ingredients, then it may not be right the type of paint for you.
