Few people are aware of the strength and variety of toxins we breathe in daily, while indoors – not just at work or in shops, but also at home. Indoor air can, in fact, be three times as polluted as that outdoors. The US Environmental Protection Agency considers indoor air pollution to be one of the top 5 hazards to human health.
What are the sources of this pollution? Where do they come from? They come from furniture, aerosols, air fresheners, cleaning products, varnishes, carpets and paints.
Formaldehyde, for example, is used in the production of cushions, particleboard and the adhesives used to manufacture most inexpensive wood-based products. It evaporates into the atmosphere very slowly and over a very long period of time. It is linked to eye and respiratory irritation and, possibly, cancer.
Other common household toxins include arsenic from insect-killing sprays and wood preservatives, but the main culprits are a range of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
VOCs comprise hundreds of natural and man-made, carbon-based agents. They react quickly with other carbon-based compounds, and evaporate easily, making them ideal solvents. VOCs can be found in cleaning products, disinfectants, pesticides, paints and other home decoration products.
They are known to cause harm. Like formaldehydes, they cause irritation to eyes and airways, including asthma. But they also cause headaches, flu-like symptoms, can remain in the body and contribute, after prolonged exposure, to kidney and liver diseases and cancers.
VOCs also degrade the environment, polluting waterways and disposal systems and contributing to low-level atmospheric pollution, global warming and sick building syndrome.
Some common VOCs
Solvents: Benzene and methyl ethyl ketome traverse cell walls unchecked by normal cell defense. Both are known carcinogens. Cousins toluene, xylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and trichloroethylene make up the lion’s share of the solvent market.
Disinfectants: Phenols, which include biphenyl, phenolics and the preservative pentachlorophenol, are found in disinfectants, antiseptics, perfumes, mouthwashes, glues and air fresheners.
Pesticides: Chlordane, aldrin, dieldrin, though all banned for nearly two decades, continue to show up airborne in older houses.
There is much that well-informed consumers and people in the building trades can do to minimise exposure to these toxins. Quick hits include changing the cleaning products used in the house to the many more-natural alternatives on the market and stopping or reducing the amount of air fresheners used.
But, given the slow release of these compounds, there are longer-term considerations that apply when repairing, building, renovating and redecorating interiors. These include the choice of real wood versus laminate floors and the coatings applied to them, the extent to which fibreboard is used instead of solid wood and the choice of carpets, underlay and glues used to fix grippers and edges.
There is also an important choice in terms of which paints to use, both for walls and woodwork.
What’s in the tin?
Paints and finishes (e.g. varnishes) are major indoor air polluters. This is because most of them contain toxic VOCs which can continue to be released into the air years after the paint is dry.
When choosing a paint, people look at factors like quality, price and choice of colours – and they have a range of mass-market and specialist suppliers to choose from. But they do not always think about the chemical composition of what’s in the can and the impact this will have on the air quality in their homes.
Over the last twenty years, regulators across the world have applied ever-restrictive limitations on VOC levels in coatings. While the purpose was to reduce emissions into the atmosphere, individuals have benefitted directly from improved air quality indoors.
In the EU, the Paints Directive 2004/42/CE uses a product-based approach to control emissions by setting limits on the VOC content of coatings, including decorative paint.
This has led to a reduction in the use of petroleum-based organic solvents and increased production of water-based coatings. And, even better, the newer versions of these paints perform well, giving good coverage and value for money.
The benefits of Zero VOC Paints
Health – fewer toxins means fewer allergies and chemical sensitivities, especially for small children. European regulations ensure they are suitable for use on toys and nursery furniture.
Environment – fewer contaminants in landfill and groundwater systems, as well as fewer ozone-depleting compounds.
Effective – good coverage and depth of coverage (hides flaws).
Durable – suitable for use outside as well as indoors.
Easy to use – brushes, rollers and hands can be cleaned with soapy water.
Less smelly – low odours during application and none after curing time. Rooms can be occupied sooner after painting.
Ecora Eco Paint
We at Ecora have realised the importance of non-VOC paints for our health and that of our customers. All our paints are VOC-free and available in a choice of 37 colours and finishes.
The full range of eco-friendly Ecora paint colours is available to view online at www.ecora.co.uk.
By choosing our paints you can be sure that you have the best quality in terms of look and overall impact on your home, at a competitive price.
