Wall and ceiling Paints and Wood Finishes.
From Sustainable Building Resource
Modern oil based products contain VOCs (Volitile organic compounds) which are solvents that have the capacity to rapidly evaporate at room temperature and are dispursed in the air. Once airborne they cause chemical or photochemical reactions in the atmosphere leading to the formation of smog containing, amongst other things, ground level ozone. According to the US EPA, 9% of the airborne pollutants creating ground level ozone come from the VOCs in paint. According to Environmental Data Services (ENDS) report no 240, decorative paints alone account for 3% of the UK’s total VOCs emissions.
Petrochemical smog causes damage to the environment and health. VOCs themselves can produce a number of physical problems such as: eye and skin irritation, lung and breathing problems, headaches, nausea, muscle weakness and liver and kidney damage. VOCs concentrations are consistently ten times higher indoors than outdoors, with numbers rising to 1,000 times higher after a new coat of paint. The 'cocktail' of chemicals that are dispersed have been sited as the cause for eczema, asthma, and even cancer.
Some paints that are marketed as ‘zero’ VOC mean that the manufacturer is using a definition of VOC as one that creates a photochemical reaction. This is misleading since a technical definition of a VOC is simply a compound that has a carbon atom in the molecular chain. The manufacturers definition can therefore exclude other non-smog forming VOCs. Always check the contents!!
[edit] Natural Alternatives
Natural paints and wood finishes are made mainly made from fully renewable ingredients that disrupt the eco-system as little as possible, ingredients like linseed oil, turpentine distilled from living pine trees, chalk and clay. These plant resins and other ingredients repel dust and bacteria, enhancing the room climate and keeping their true colour for years to come. They are micro porous, meaning moisture can pass through without flaking and peeling (the main cause of standard paint failure) They will not cause eczema, asthma, cancer or respiratory problems, they purify your indoor atmosphere, and, well, the list goes on and on.
- Clean air
- The healthy difference
- Great colours
- Anti-static properties
- Micro-porous
- Safe as houses
- Less pollution
- Natural ingredients
- Naturally made/Formulations
- Low VOC’s
- Happy to use
Natural thinners and solvents are not harmful to the environment as the plants they originate from are still cultivated and re-absorb the harmful chemicals through their leaves.
Natural wall and ceiling paint
‘Natural Paints’ are made from plant extracts and plant oils along with simple minerals. They are less damaging to the environment some still contain small amounts of VOCs, though alot less than their synthetic equivalents.
Solvent or solvent free finishes, hard oils, waxes and water based stains, opaque or coloured woods stainsWood finishes are either a wax or oil, or a mixture of both. Must be applied to virgin wood, not over synthetic lacquers. All products nourish wood naturally Micro-porous (breathable) will not crack, flake or blister.
Micro-porous, water based and solvent free
'Rounded Developments' stock Auro, earthBorn and Osmo paints and finishes [1]
'Ecoartisan' - a superb introduction to natural and synthetic paints [2]
'Green shop' - a good range of Natural paint products.[3]
