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Whether you paint your own home or have it done by a professional, painting your home should be a pleasurable experience. "When I first began looking at all the color options for my living room, I was so excited," recalls Jenny Hyman, who moved into her new apartment in Astoria, New York, in 2000.

"But when I found out about the toxic emissions from many paints, I decided to spend a bit more money and buy a natural paint. I haven’t regretted my choice at all. My living room looks beautiful and I know its safe for me and my family."

In the Can

We are all familiar with the smell of new paint. It comes from solvents in the paint known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, styrene, toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde. Some VOCs are carcinogenic or neurotoxic. They are also associated with other symptoms, like headaches, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and eye, skin and airway irritation.

Wood finishes, such as stains, varnishes, lacquers and polyurethane, may also contain solvents that are also VOCs. Oil-based products are the worst in terms of the amount of fumes they may release.

Safety First

If you will need to sand any of the paint and your home was built before 1978, test the paint for lead. Sanding paint that contains lead will send fine lead-laden dust particles throughout the house! Lead poisoning can cause the lowering of IQs, learning disabilities, hearing impairment, reduced attention spans, aggression and other behavior problems.

All painters should wear a special mask for painting (don’t use a dust mask as it will trap fumes near the mouth and nose).

Pregnant women should not paint! Fumes inhaled by the mother can pass through the placenta and harm developing babies.

Allow time for offgassing of fumes, even if you use the healthier paints and finishes, listed below, before occupying a newly painted room. It’s best to paint when it's warm enough to keep windows open, with fans turned on to push the fumes out and bring fresh air in.

Avoid throwing old paint in the trash. Old paint should be dropped off at a hazardous waste drop-off site. To find out where you can find a drop-off site in your community, look it up by zip code at Earth's 911.

If you want to use up very old paint, call the National Pesticide Telecommunication Network, 800-858-7378, to find out whether that brand contains phenylmercury, a known neurotoxin.

Safer Paints

When shopping for paints, look for the following types of paints that emit fewer fumes than conventional paints, especially those that are oil-based.

    "Low-VOC" paint, stain or sealants are formulated so that they meet California guidelines, which restrict the amount of chemicals labeled as carcinogenic that may used to levels lower than those required by federal regulations. While these paints may still emit fumes, it's usually at far lower levels than conventional oil-based and water-based paints. Some companies even formulate their low-VOCs so that they won't emit any fumes.

    "VOC-free" or "No VOC" paints don't emit any fumes but generally cost more.

    "Low-biocide" paints are 90 to 95 percent free of biocides, which include dangerous preservatives and fungicides. However, low-biocide paints are more prone to mold, and should not be used in damp areas, like the basement or bath, unless there’s plenty of sunlight and ventilation.

    Natural or organic paints are made from citrus and other plant oils. They are free of synthetic chemicals. Water-based natural paints are, therefore, less resistant to mildews and molds. Natural oil-based enamel paints can be used in humid areas instead. These paints can contain aromatic ingredients, such as the citrus-based solvent d-limonene, turpentine, tung oil or pine resins, which can cause reactions in sensitive people.

    Natural milk paints are odorless, and made from milk protein (casein) and earth pigments such as lime and clay. They come in powdered form, to be mixed with water. Milk paints contain no preservatives or biocides and should be applied quickly after mixing.

The Sustainable Building Sourcebook's page on paints, finishes and adhesives lists national resources for these types of paints.

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