We all agree that one of the most favorite selections to make & give renewed-life to pieces of furniture, walls, and the entire decoration of the house is by adding a fresh coat of paint. But we all also agree that the safety must always be the first priority. This means you must ensure your new DIY-paint project is safe and friendly for the health of yours and your family’s members! Although there are a lot of paints that contain unsafely chemicals but fortunately there are now also available non-toxic (safe) paints that are so recommended for the health of your body in long term! And the big question is how to choose or classify or distinguish both types? Let’s focus to this topic in this post!
According to EPA, any familiar activities for house-renovation such as demolition, sanding, painting, cutting and still many more can result health hazards. Chips or dust (lead based paint) can be so hazardous to children or adults. Moreover, there are many unfriendly chemicals for human body in many conventional paint products! Some of those hazardous chemicals are xy-lene, C6H6 (Benzene), formaldehyde, toluene, and so on. Basically those chemicals are purposed to make the paint colors more powerful and last longer. In line with technological developments and the awareness of green living, green paints are increasingly popular. This type is not only for the beautifully interior and decoration but also much safer for better life in the future.
Let’s to the point, non-toxic or safe paints that are safe for you and your family usually have poor (low) percentage of VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or even free of VOCs! What is VOC? It usually has high vapor pressure that can be so harmful to the human health or environment. In some articles on internet, it cannot be categorized into toxic chemical (particularly acutely toxic) since it usually comes with low-concentration, but it has chronic effects. After the conventional paints have dried, they still release invisible toxins that are so harmful to human health. Green paints (low or free of VOCs) are relatively less odor and usually come with water-based model. This is helpful for anyone who suffers from allergies. Moreover, it is also good & positive affect to minimize other health problems likes nausea and headaches!
Other tips & ideas on how to choose and buy safe and non-toxic paints:
1. Ask to the local paint retailer about any paint products that have low composition of biocides!
2. It is better to also consider products that contain non-chemical pigments or natural pigments.
3. If you are looking for one that also free of lead, additives, petrochemicals, and even solvents then milk-paint is not too bad selection. It usually requires painter add water! Other benefit of choosing this paint is able to afford an eggshell.
4. As possible to choose and use natural vegetable oils for the wood sealers. This also can be good idea for the concrete-floors!
5. Other option, perhaps you can also use citrus-based products, they are also reliable to provide positive atmosphere for health.
Image source: Besthousepainter.com
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Tags: non toxic paints, safe paints