by Mary Knippel

© Bimmergirl | Dreamstime.com

While paint still remains a consistent component in building and home décor, green industry compliance has forced paint to undergo a formula face-lift. “The technology  is rapidly changing,” said Lou Palladino, owner and general manager  of Palladino Painting. Traditional oil-based paints aren’t good for the environment; fortunately, new research and development is producing more water-based products. “It’s good to be green,” Palladino said; it’s better for “our air quality, for the industry as a whole, and for us as humans in particular.”

Traditional paints can contain high levels of volatile organic compounds. As Consumer Reports explains, “VOCs are solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. … VOCs can cause acute symptoms, including headaches and dizziness. The long-term effects are less certain, but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, some VOCs are suspected carcinogens.” The EPA Web site lists even more health effects from VOCs, including damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

Another caution: Paints advertised as eco-friendly may have a  colorant added to a low-VOC or zero-VOC base — colorants which can significantly increase the level of VOCs.

But VOCs are not the only cause of concern. “Consumers have to become more educated,” Palladino said. “They should read labels and not mistake a low-VOC or a no-VOC paint for a non-toxic paint.” Palladino recommended that consumers become familiar with the Material Safety Data Sheet, which lists any hazardous ingredients in the product, and the potential toxic effects. He suggests using eco-friendly products such as Mythic Paint, a non-toxic, ultra-low-odor paint that provides both durability and coverage.

Paint can also have an effect on the wider environment. “The painting industry is a large factor in air pollution,” Palladino said, “so whether you are choosing to paint yourself or hiring a painting contractor, using a non-VOC is a benefit to the environment.”

Paint display at Green Intention Design in Half Moon Bay. Photo: Mary Knippel.