Advice provided by: Ace Glen Garcia, LEED Green Associate, HAL Consultants

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Hi Martha, thank you for the query.

Paint Exposure and Health During Pregnancy

According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are no studies that currently show danger to the baby during normal and incidental exposure to paint (i.e. painting a room). The only studies that note a potential for miscarriage and malformations are linked with higher levels of exposure through recreational use (sniffing and inhaling regularly).

However, the potential danger to the baby depends on the chemicals and solvents found in the paint and the length of exposure. Therefore, you should ideally have someone else paint the baby's room. If you must do it yourself, be sure to exercise caution.

Painting When You're Pregnant

The American Pregnancy Association recommends:

• Avoiding paints and solvents is the safest course of action
• Talk to your health care provider before beginning a painting project
• Paint exposures during household painting are likely to have less exposure than occupational settings
• Wear protective clothing, masks, and keep the area ventilated
• Avoid latex paints that contain solvents such as ethylene glycol ethers and biocides
• In general, water colors, acrylic, and tempera paints are recommended over oil paints
• Limit duration and frequency of your painting

LEED for Low VOC Paints

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system awards points to projects for using low-emitting paints.

Low-emitting paints release fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than typical paint, which makes them healthier for indoor air quality. To learn more about VOCs, see a previous article: "What Are VOCs?".

It may be wise to follow LEED's guidelines for low-emitting paints in your baby's room, since it will make it a healthier environment for you both during and after pregnancy, and for the baby.

According to the LEED credit, Low-Emitting Materials – Paints and Coatings or IEQ Credit 4.2:

• Architectural paints and coatings applied to interior walls and ceiling must not exceed the volatile organic compound (VOC) limit established by Green Seal Standard GS-11, Paints.

• Anti- corrosive and anti-rust paints used in interior ferrous metals must not exceed the VOC content limit of 250g/L established in Green Seal Standard GC-03.

• Clear wood finishes, floor coatings, stains, primers, and shellacs applied to interior elements must not exceed the VOC content established by South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113.

You may be interested in purchasing natural paint, which is made from naturally recurring materials, such as as citrus oil, lime, clay, linseed oil, casein, and chalk. Many of these contain few or no VOCs and are made with fewer harmful chemicals (though you should check the MSDS to be sure).

Lead Exposure: Removing Old Paint When Pregnant

Pregnant women should not only be cautious when painting, but should also avoid removing, scraping or sanding old paint because of the risk of lead exposure.

Some older paints contain lead, which is most easily absorbed into growing bodies. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, exposure to lead paint increases the likelihood of lead poisoning and mental retardation.

Good luck!

Related Advice:

• What are VOCs?: Volatile Organic Compounds and LEED



• Green Baby Room: How Can I Make My Nursery Eco-Friendly?



• Low and No VOC Paints, Stains and Finishes: An Expert Review