Stick with Safe Paint

(Page 2 of 5)

October/November 2003
By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk 
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STICK WITH LATEX

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Although it can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals, paint still can be divided into two subcategories according to its primary solvent. In latex paints, water is the primary solvent; in alkyds, it's a petroleum solvent (oil). Latex paints, with much lower levels of VOCs, beat alkyds hands-down for safety. (Even the newly formulated alkyd paints use much more solvent than standard latex paints, and cleaning up brush es, rollers and spills after painting with alkyds requires additional solvents—latex paints clean up with soap and water.)

The biggest difference you may notice is with drying time: Low- and no-VOC paints dry a lot faster, and you'll need to work quickly so that you're always painting into a wet edge (painting over dried paint will leave a striped appearance). Because these paints tend to dry faster on rollers and brushes, cleanup may take a little longer.

THE LOW-DOWN ON LOW-VOCS

First, don't confuse "low-odor" with "lowVOC." Fumes from some VOCs can be masked to make a low-odor paint, which means that what you can't smell still can hurt you.

And don't assume that all low-VOC paints are created equal. A "low-VOC" label on a can means the paint meets the EPA's maximum VOC-emission standards: Latex paints must contain less than 250 grams per liter (gm/l) of VOCs; alkyds can contain up to 380 gm/l.

When shopping for a safer paint, start by reading the label. Look for paints that have VOC levels of 150 gm/l or lower. Realize that pigments, typically dissolved in chemical solvents, and other additives, such as mildewcides and conditioners, contribute to the relative toxicity of the final paint mix.

In addition to choosing a low-VOC paint, pay attention to everything else that's in the can. Because the EPA's regulations primarily focus on reducing air pollution, other toxic chemicals that do not increase air pollution, such as heavy metals, are excluded from VOC calculations.

Recycled Paint

Most of us already know about local paint and household-chemical collection days, and use these environmentally responsible "excuses" to clean out our basement or garage. But did you know that you can take further advantage of these programs (and usually save bundles of cash) by buying repackaged, recycled paint?

There are two types of recycled paint products: reblended and reprocessed. Reblended paint is 100 percent post-consumer content; it contains no new resins or colorants. Originally available only in beige or brown, improved matching systems now offer a wider spectrum of colors. Although paints are screened and remixed, you're never entirely sure what types of paints have gone into the mix. Consequently, reblended paints can't be tested for wear or longevity, but they're perfect if you have a lot of area to cover, whether you're slapping paint on a barn or whitewashing graffiti off a fence.

Reprocessed paint is mixed with new resins and colorants to create a product that performs about as well as new paint. When shopping for reprocessed paint, check the label to be sure that you're doing a green deed: Reprocessed paints can contain up to 80 percent new material.

The downside to choosing recycled paint is that you'll be using the older, higher-VOC stuff. But you'll be able to breathe easier knowing that you're doing the planet a favor by saving resources and landfill space.

For more information about recycled-content paints, contact your local recycling center, or visit the EPAs Web site at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/products/paint.htm .

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