VOC Paints Guide – Part 3

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs or VOC) are a wide range of carbon-based molecules present in paint and many other substances. These are very unstable and we can’t see them. They evaporate under normal conditions, leaving their host and entering the air. In the air, they combine with other airborne compounds to form ozone.

VOCs in paint products

Basically, the “clean” smell of fresh paint is actually the off-gassing of these toxic petrochemical solvents or VOCs.

In paints, these solvents are released into the atmosphere as the paint dries after application. VOCs emitted by solvents that are found in most paints results in indoor air pollution.

VOCs are the chemicals that become breathable gases at room temperature. A release of VOCs is highest during and soon after painting and they continue seeping out for many years. According to Green Seal, only 50% of the VOCs may be released in the first year. Some VOCs are toxic when in large concentrations. Some cause allergies, though not in everyone, their effects vary, but can typically include:

• Irritations – for example to the eyes and mouth
• Respiratory problems
• Neurological disorders.

Worst affected are the babies, small children, pregnant ladies and those having respiratory problems.

VOCs chemicals present in paint products

As per the Environment Australia Air Toxics website, VOCs commonly found in traditional paints are:

• Acetone
• Methanol
• Benzene
• Methyl ethyl ketone
• Cyclohexane
• Methyl isobutyl ketone
• Dichloromethane
• n-Hexane
• Ethanol
• Toluene
• Ethylene glycol

• Total volatile organic compounds
• 2-Ethoxyethanol acetate
• Xylenes

But the best part is low-VOC and no-VOC paints are also available in the market which can help us deal with this problem. The safety of the paint is a primary consideration. There are lots of paints available in the market today. Let’s learn more about them:

What are Low VOC paints?

Low-VOC paints as the name suggests, are the paints having reduced levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Low levels of VOCs are the thing which all green eco-friendly paints have in common. Low-VOCs mean low off-gassing of chemicals and low levels of smog-producing pollutants which causes air pollution. For opting on the low-VOC paints, you just need to buy the paints which are labelled as low-VOC paints, and in almost the same cost per gallon as traditional paints you can get indoor and outdoor applications and performance as good as traditional paints.