Paint, VOCs Flashcards
When VOCs enter the air, they react with other elements to produce
ozone, which causes air pollution and a host of health issues including breathing problems, headache, burning, watery eyes and nausea. Some VOCs also have been linked to cancer, as well as kidney and liver damage
VOCs are
unstable, carbon-containing compounds that readily vaporize into the air.
Painters regularly exposed to paint vapors have an increased incidence of
several types of cancers, impaired brain function, renal dysfunction and other health problems
Paint is typically made of three major components:
Pigment: gives the paint its color
Binders: also known as the vehicle or medium, binders help the pigment stick to the applied surface.
Solvents: sometimes called carrier or thinner, keep the paint in liquid form, making it easier to apply.
Which component of paint contributes the most VOCs?
solvents contribute the most to the paint’s level of VOCs. That’s because the solvent (a liquid) is designed to evaporate quickly, leaving only the pigment and its binder (the solids) behind on your walls. Paints with a greater percentage of solids typically leave more pigment behind, thus requiring fewer applications.
Solvents tend to be either ____-based (high VOC content) or _____-based (low or no VOC content).
Oil based or water based.
Latex paint, which has lower VOC levels and is generally more environmentally friendly than oil-based paints, uses water-based solvents.
Replacing the oil-based solvent doesn’t rid a paint of harmful chemicals entirely, though. Pigments and binders may also contain VOCs, and all three components often contain a range of other toxins. For example, cadmium and chromium – dangerous metals regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – are sometimes used in pigments.
In addition, some paints include toxic materials to prevent mold growth or extend shelf life.
By this time, you’re probably wondering what qualifies paint as low-VOC:
. According to the U.S. EPA, the numbers break down like this:
Latex and Flat-finish Paints
Oil-based and All Other Paints
< 380 g/L
Low-VOC Paint
< 250 g/L
VOC-free Paint
< 5 g/L
Keep in mind that the numbers cited on the paint can are measurements taken before the
paint’s pigment or any additives are added, both of which can contribute more VOCs. Pigments, for example, can add roughly 10 g/L
Paints with the GREEN SEAL designation must have VOC contents below
100g/L for a non-flat finish and 50 g/L for a flat finish. The Green Seal VOC limit for primers and floor paints is also 100 g/L, while reflective wall coatings can’t exceed the 50 g/L mark
In addition to the lower VOC levels, Green Seal paints are forbidden from using
a long list of toxic chemical compounds including carcinogens, reproductive toxins, hazardous air pollutants, heavy metals and formaldehyde-donors to name just a few.
Beyond considering levels of VOCs and other toxins when you purchase paint, another good piece of advice is to look for one that contains
at least 30 percent solids. That way, maybe you won’t have to apply that third coat after all. This information is usually found on the paint’s label or Technical Data Sheet.
In house paint, VOCs are released into the air once the paint is on the walls, during the drying process. Once these gases are in the air you’re breathing, they could lead to dizziness or a bad headache. How many VOCs enter the air depends on what kind of paint you have.
Normal indoor VOC levels usually stand at about 50 percent more than outdoor air. But while you’re painting or stripping paint, these levels can rise to as much as 500 to 1,000 times as the level of the cleaner outdoor air
As for how these VOCs stay in the air, it depends on how well you ventilate the area during and after painting, as well as how many VOCs were in the paint you were using.
They decrease slowly over time, but a fan and some open windows will go a long way in helping to rid the air of the unhealthy fumes.
How do you find out how many VOCs are in paint?
Paint manufacturers are required to print the amount of VOCs on the paint can itself.
Keep in mind when you’re checking out the paint can, that they list the VOCs for the paint only, not the pigment added to make your favorite shade of pink.
