Green Paint
By Susan Pike
It’s in the contents, not the color
The trend toward environmentally conscious decorating is strong and getting stronger. Homeowners and contractors often ask about “green” paints. Going “green” is the newest trend, picking up steam with each report on global warming. By using paints that are either without volatile organic compounds or low in VOCs, we are promoting the philosophy to respect life and the environment for future generations.
According to the American Lung Association, VOCs can cause a number of physical problems, from eye and skin irritation to lung and kidney damage. Innovations in the green-building movement and in paint technology have been instrumental in providing builders with a healthier and more environmentally safe painting alternative. The best practice is to use paint that is low in VOCs or devoid of these compounds.
For comparison, a regular gallon of latex paint contains about 250 grams per liter of VOCs, compared to five grams per liter or fewer in “green” paint. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has established VOC standards for all paints. In addition, each state has its own requirements, California being the strictest and Rhode Island the most lenient.
Natural paints are environmentally friendly and water based. They’re the safest paints for the health of both people and the environment because they minimize the toxins that eventually end up in our air and water.
The term “non-toxic” is also used—in the most liberal sense—to describe many environmentally friendly paints. However, even zero-VOC paints contain small amounts of toxins.
There are generally four categories of environmentally friendly paints:
Natural Paints: paints made from natural raw ingredients such as plant oils and dyes, natural latex, beeswax and earth and mineral dyes
Milk Paints: completely natural paints made from milk proteins, lime and natural mineral pigments
Zero VOC Latex Paints: any paint with VOCs in the range of 5 grams per liter or fewer
Low VOC Latex Paints: paints that may not contain more than 200 grams of VOCs per liter, by government standard. Different low-VOC products may contain various amounts of VOCs, but the manufacturer is required to state the true amount on the paint container.
Susan Pike of Chatham is a third generation color consultant. Her mission is to take the confusion out of interior finishes and to create a balanced environment. She works with both contractors and homeowners. See www.colorbysusan.com.
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Things to know
“Green” paints are easy to find. Most can be purchased in a variety of colors from your local paint store. And they generally cost the same as conventional paint.
Greener Than Thou
Safecoat zero-VOC paint elminates toxic ingredients such as solvents, heavy metals, chemical residuals, formaldehyde and harmful preservatives. It is available at New England Green Building Center at Conwell Lumber in Provincetown.
Working with “green” paint is easy. Apply it in the same way you would conventional paint. Spills can be cleaned up with soap and water.
Milk paint
Milk paints have been used for thousands of years. Antique lovers and those who have tried to strip old furnishings with milk paint know this vibrantly colored, flint-hard surface well. These completely natural paints are made from organic milk proteins, lime and natural mineral pigments. They are safe for people with chemical sensitivities. They are a wonderful paint for children’s furniture.
Besides being environmentally friendly, milk paints give a soft, antique appearance to any surface. Milk paints come in powder form. All you have to do is stir in the water. Many craftsmen still paint furniture with it.
Milk paint can be applied directly to sanded wood without the need for a primer/sealer. To achieve the unique, traditional texture on wood that no other paint can emulate, apply milk paint quite thickly, allow it to dry and then sand it down. For more information, see www.milkpaint.com.
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