Posts Tagged ‘low-VOC’
Indoor Air Quality
Monday, May 17th, 2010
So, have you been getting the urge to remodel the inside of your house? More than a thorough cleaning or rearrange the furniture. How about paint? Repainting and updating the color on your walls has one of the most dramatic effects on a potential buyer coming to see your home. Taking down dated wall paper and replacing it with a fresh color to accent your furniture or just a neutral color to appeal to a wider pool of buyers can make or a break an offer.
Have you thought about what’s in that paint and some of the chemicals used to make it? Ever heard of the term ‘VOC’? Well let’s start there…according to the EPA, the definition of a “VOC-(Volatile organic compounds) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.”
There are a wide range of health effects including eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea. More serious concerns include damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous systems. Whoa…some potentially scary side effects. We are certainly not chemists and we will defer to the experts to become more educated. For more information on some of the potential dangers and ways to reduce exposure please visit the EPA’s website.
Some studies have shown that some of the VOC’s found in paint can continue to be released up to a year after application! Yuck!
The good news is there are alternatives. Many paint manufacturers, if not about all, offer a low-VOC or no-VOC option. For example: Sherwin Willliams offers Duration and Harmony latex paints, Benjamin Moore offers a no-VOC option in its Natura line, and Mythic Paint also offers no-VOC paints. All of these companies have taken a stance on the products they offer to consumers and their commitment to the environment.
We have used Mythic paint in home and at our Winston-Salem office and have used Sherwin Williams Duration in our home. You can easily tell an odor difference. We didn’t notice a difference in coverage and so far it is just as durable as any other paint on the market. The real benefit to us and our agents is knowing that we are increasing the indoor air quality in our home and office. This will not only help our allergies but it will to the resale value of our home and provide a better working environment.
If you have questions regarding any of the information found in this post, please give us a call and we would be glad to share our thoughts and contacts!
Tags: Benjamin Moore, indoor air quality, low-VOC, Mythic Paints, no-VOC, Sherwin Williams
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