Advice provided by: Denise Colestock, LEED AP BD+C, The Studio C

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What is a VOC?

Have you ever gone into a newly remodeled or painted space and experienced the overwhelming odor of new paint, carpet or stain? What you are inhaling are the toxins being released from the materials and finishes, which can last for days, weeks and even months.

Those toxins released into the air you breathe are under much scrutiny for causing short-term and long-term health problems for not only the end users of the space, but also for those that do the installation. With new improvements in chemical technology for the built environment, many finishes are now available that have low to no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds).

VOC’s are released and found in nature, but in very small amounts. Man-made finishes with VOC’s tend to be in higher concentrated amounts and sheltered in closed spaces. This is where the health concerns begin.

Some short term affects of VOC’s, include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and worsening of asthma conditions. Some long term affects include cancer and liver, kidney or central nervous system damage. The toxins can also harm a fetus.

If you are thinking of doing some cosmetic changes to your home or office, consider the quality of the products you choose. There are endless possibilities for paints, stains and finishes, but newly on the market are some made with low to zero VOC’s.

LEED and VOCs

If you are considering LEED certification for your building, this is especially important for EQ c4.1, which involves specifying low to no VOC products. However, some companies have been known to add chemicals to their low to no VOC products to cover up the toxic odor. So, do your homework and read those labels if you want to have true non-toxic finishes.

Low or No VOC Paint

One such finish is a low to zero VOC paint. This paint is made with little to no toxins, leaves no odor behind and can come in several different color swatches, depending on the make and brand.

Sherwin Williams has a brand called Harmony, and their newest brand, called ProMar 200. Both products have zero VOC’s and meet the most stringent environmental requirements such as LEED, MPI, the Greenguard Environmental Institute and come in four different sheens and any color.

Frazee Paint also has a low to zero VOC paint, called EnviroCoat. This paint is LEED and Green Seal GS-11 compliant.

A third option is Benjamin Moore with their Aura, EcoSpec, Natura and BEN low to zero VOC interior and exterior paints. They are available in any color and finish as well.

All of these paints have low to no VOC’s after tinting, so if you want to specify NO VOC’s, you must make sure the paint and the tint are both no VOC.

Lastly, all of these paints perform at the premium level that we are used to with regular paints and these are just a sampling of what is available on the market.

Low and No Voc Finishes

Another finish includes floor stains and sealers for wood flooring. It is so great when someone can refinish the wood floor that already exists in their space rather than buying new, but let’s continue this environmentally friendly path by using low to no VOC stains and sealers to finish the floor.

Two companies that produce and sell low to no VOC finishes are Eco-Building Products with AFM Safecoat and BioShield. They not only make sustainable stains and sealers, they also make calks and adhesives, cleaning and maintenance supplies, grout, paint and plaster as well as many other building materials.

A great resource for finding many non-toxic finishes is the Green Building Supply company. They sell a network of manufacturers of finishes that take human health and the environment into consideration.

If you want to reduce harmful effects on your health through interior airborne toxins and reduce your eco-footprint, consider no-VOC paints and finishes for your home or office.

Related Advice:

• Chemical Sensitivities: Can I Seal High VOC Paint with Low VOC Paint?



• Low VOC Paint: A Smart Choice for any LEED or Green Building Project



• VOC Removal: Five Plants that Clean the Air and Remove VOCs