We spend so much time indoors - resting, sleeping, showering, cooking, relaxing. Sometimes it's easy to forget that the quality of the air we breathe is closely linked to what's in the room around us. This is why paints and finishes inside our home are so important! When it comes to what you use to cover your walls and furniture, choosing no VOC vs low VOC paint is an important decision for any homeowner or renter.
Let's begin by taking a look at the difference between low VOC vs no VOC, why it matters, and how to make informed purchasing decisions. Because at the end of the day, it's all about having the knowledge and confidence to know that what is going into your indoor living space is healthy, comfortable and quality for you and your loved ones!
Your walls and ceilings make up the most surface area in any home by far. Paints and furniture items in our home can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), harming our health and the environment. This is why it’s important to consider low or no VOC paints, specifically designed to minimize chemical emissions that could potentially be hanging out in the air that you're breathing inside your home
Understanding Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
First things first, before going into details on how to pick the perfect non toxic paint and finishes for your home, let's go over the difference between standard, low VOC vs no VOC paints and clarify what VOCs actually are and why are they are so dangerous for our health.
We hear about Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) more and more, but should we really be concerned about the effects of these chemicals when it comes to our homes and health?
Simply put, VOCs are chemicals that easily vaporize at room temperature, releasing chemical gases and fumes into the air—with a process known as off-gassing. These compounds are found in many household products, including paints, carpets, adhesives, stains and cleaning products. The fumes can significantly affect indoor air quality and health conditions. VOCs are relatively easy to measure with a testing meter or testing kit, with many options available online.
What are HAPs? How do they compare to VOCs?
According to the EPA, indoor air can be 10x more polluted than outdoor air. Shocking, right?
While VOCs are important to monitor when it comes to air quality, things that aren't necessarily bad for us are also considered VOCs, like essential oils and white vinegar. HAPs, on the other hand, are a lesser know term but paint a more accurate picture when it comes to chemicals with negative health implications.
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) are a list of toxic chemicals provided by the EPA that are known to cause cancer and other serious health effects.
That's why at Healthier Homes, we've made it our mission to enable a home that is free of HAPs. Our team is busy curating collections of 100% non toxic furniture, décor, and construction products. We even created a formula for our zero VOC paint and primers that goes beyond solving the paint VOC problem, but more on that in a moment!
Here are some HAPs found in common everyday household items:
Dry Cleaning: Perchloroethylene, aka PERC, is a petroleum-based carcinogen that is readily absorbed through the lungs and skin after exposure to dry cleaned clothing or bedding.
Pesticides: Used for pest control, these contain potent neuro-toxic substances, unless you're opting for safe options like borate, minerals or essential oils.
Furniture: Items like treated wood, particleboard and adhesives can off gas formaldehyde and fumes from organic solvents.
Why Common VOCs are Found in Construction Materials & Paints
Why do the big paint brands insist on using harmful chemicals? Because paints with VOCs cure quicker and stay well preserved through the use of preservatives, biocides and antifreeze. Whereas low or zero VOC paints may take slightly longer to cure and require the use of clean brushes each time the can is opened to prevent contamination.
Toluene
Toluene is commonly used in paints, thinners, and lacquers to help with ease of application and quick drying. However breathing it in can cause headaches and dizziness, and long-term exposure, even at lower levels, can lead to serious health issues for both people and pets.
How to Avoid Toluene:
Paints: Choose water-based acrylic paints with no VOCs or harmful preservatives.
Adhesives: Use non toxic glues with no strong chemical smell.
Lacquers: Opt for zero VOC, odor free lacquer clear coats and furniture paints.
Benzene and Xylene
Benzene is found in glossy furniture and cabinet finishes as well as spray paints. It’s colorless and can linger in your home, negatively affecting your immune system over time.
Xylene is a strong solvent, which essentially helps to provide a smoother finish by its dissolving and mixing properties. However, it evaporates slowly, leading to prolonged exposure through inhalation.
How to Avoid Benzene + Xylene:
Choose Low VOC or Zero VOC Products: Look for paints, varnishes, and finishes labeled as "low VOC" or "zero VOC" as they contain considerably less VOCs than standard ones.
Opt for Water-Based Options: Whenever possible, pick water-based paints and finishes instead of oil-based ones.
Use Protective Gear: Wear masks and gloves at all times while applying all paint products.
Don't Forget Ventilation: Open windows and doors, or use exhaust fans to keep the air flowing and to reduce fumes.
Use Air Purifiers: Consider using air purifiers with activated carbon filters to remove any lingering chemicals from the air.
What is Low VOC Paint?
People often ask, what is low voc paint? In the simplest terms, low VOC paints are made with fewer harmful chemicals (VOCs), compared to traditional and more commercial options, which makes them a safer choice for indoor use because they help keep the air cleaner and are better for your health.
But if VOCs are so harmful…
Why Aren’t All Paints Zero VOC?
Good question, and the answer may surprise you.
Like we mentioned before, paints often contain VOCs because these chemicals help the paint dry faster, which is convenient for builders, general contractors and homeowners on a tight schedule. VOCs evaporate quickly, helping the paint stay liquid until it's spread out, but unfortunately, they also release harmful gases into the air.
Why Zero VOC Paints Aren't as Common
Drying time: VOCs help paint dry quickly. Zero VOC paints need adequate ventilation, specific temperatures and less humidity to cure properly. But with a little extra effort, conditioning a space is all that's really needed.
Cost: Zero VOC paints are usually more expensive. Why? They're made with higher quality ingredients in small batches. Many people opt for cheaper paints without even considering the risks and long term health implications.
Availability: No VOC and Low VOC paints can be harder to find, often requiring trips to specialty stores or online orders.
Market trends: While the interest in home reno projects grew during the pandemic, making zero VOC paints more popular, many brands still don't disclose full ingredient lists for their zero VOC products. It's important to ask.
What Types of Compounds Can Low VOC Paints Still Contain?
Low VOC paints can still include chemicals such as formaldehyde, biocides, and ammonia to name just a few. Although they are present in reduced quantities compared to traditional paint, it’s important to check product labels when purchasing your paint and be aware that these chemicals can be a hazard to health.
Other ingredients to look out for when it comes to conventional paints and varnishes are methylene chloride, formaldehyde and heavy metals like mercury and cadmium. Hopefully, as awareness of health and environmental issues grows, zero VOC paints and construction products become more accessible and better understood!
What is no VOC paint?
And what does no VOC mean in terms of health benefits?
When you're wondering what is no VOC paint, it's natural to assume the paint would contain zero VOC's, right? That's not necessarily the case. Here's why...
So let's get technical for a quick minute... A low VOC level for paint is typically considered to have less than 50 grams of VOCs per liter. Remember that there are no paint police though. It's important to ask questions when in doubt.
Industry standards claim that no VOC paints are specifically formulated to contain less than 5 grams per liter (g/L) of VOCs, making them a more eco friendly choice for the consumer. But the claim is is still somewhat of a misnomer given they're not actually zero VOC. When our co-founder Jen set out to build her first healthy home years ago, paint was one of the largest hurdles.
For Jen, finding a paint that was truly zero VOC that didn't contain any hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) was one of the most challenging aspects of the entire build process. The problem lies within the paint manufacturers' ability to make claims that their paint is zero VOC, even though it may include a laundry list of exempt VOCs.
Exempt VOCs are nasty paint ingredients which include ammonia, acetone, paraffin, exempt petroleum solvents, biocides, antifreeze, and formaldehyde donors -- all chemicals you wouldn't want on the walls of your home for eternity.
What are formaldehyde donors found in paint? These are individual paint ingredients that are not formaldehyde; that is until the manufacturer mixes them together inside a paint can. From that moment forward, the combined ingredients will continue to produce low levels of formaldehyde over extended periods of time. A manufacturer may do this to increase the shelf life of their paint product and to make it cure quicker during the application process.
Choosing The Best No VOC Paint For Your Home:
here's a few other things to consider
Unless you're opting for a non toxic wallpaper to decorate your wall, here are a few things to think about, the first being about colors!
Ask About the Pigments
One aspect that's easy to overlook is the colorant used to tint the paint. Sometimes the label only tells you about the base paint, not the pigments, which can be misleading. Always check if VOCs are present in the pigments used to tint the paint that you purchase, as these can significantly increase the overall VOC content in your paint.
In other words, what is considered a low VOC can of base paint on the shelf at the store can change drastically after it's tinted at the hardware store counter, which is why we tint using zero VOC colorants in our entire line of Healthier Paints.
Check the Ingredients:
What does no VOC mean? For starters, choose paint brands that are open about what’s in their products. Some might claim to be no VOC but don't share the full ingredient list, so look for brands that do (hint, hint: you are in the right place!)
Take a Sniff:
No VOC paints shouldn't have a strong or acrid smell. Some might still have a mild odor, but it shouldn't be offensive. Test a small sample first to make sure you’re comfortable with the scent, especially if anyone in your home has allergies or sensitivities.
The Benefits of No VOC Paints, in a Nutshell
The Health Benefits
No VOC paints significantly reduce the risk of health issues such as headaches, dizziness, and respiratory problems caused by VOC exposure. In fact they're safe for babies, pets and even pregnant moms. And if you're thinking that higher quality, less toxic paints can be costly, think about the investment you are making in your family's wellness (and the costly alternative of healthcare expenses).
The Environmental Benefits
These paints contribute to better indoor air quality and are less harmful to the environment, reducing air pollution, water pollution and improving sustainability efforts.
FAQ's:
How long does low VOC paint off gas?
When you use conventional paint, the strong smell might fade after a few days, but the paint can keep releasing VOCs into the air for years. This process of off-gassing varies depending on the paint type. Studies show that only about 50% of VOCs are released within the first year.
Are low VOC paints safe?
While low VOC paints off gas less than traditional paints, that doesn't make them completely nontoxic. To help minimize low VOC off gassing, it's a good idea to ventilate the room well during and after painting when fumes are the strongest. This goes for almost all construction related activities!
Is low VOC paint safe during pregnancy?
For expecting moms, it's important to consider whether low VOC paint is safe during pregnancy. Choosing low VOC paints is a safer choice for both moms and baby, because these paints release fewer chemicals than regular paints. Clearly, going for a zero VOC option would be ideal for mom and baby.
For already painted items like furniture, a handy trick is to use a nontoxic clear coat sealer.
How long does low voc paint smell?
The length of time low VOC paint smells can depend on things like the type of paint, how well-ventilated the area is, and the humidity. If there isn't much ventilation, the paint smell and its fumes will linger longer. Again, all the reason for using a paint that cures zero VOC.
Acrylic paints vs latex paints: what is the best no VOC paint?
Years of research using the paints that we produce in our own healthy home building projects is exactly why we can confidently say that the waterbased HH acrylic paints are ideal for a nontoxic home environment.
Compared to latex paint and mineral paint (the other two options in the low and no VOC arena), the HH water-based acrylic paints are superior for four reasons.
It's durable paint that will stand up to toddlers, dogs and life
It's self-leveling, which allows an easy to apply beautiful finish, while still curing zero VOC and zero HAPs
The unique formula effectively seals surfaces from offgassing chemicals into the home. (This means that fumes from previously painted surfaces, and even construction materials behind the walls, can be sealed up simply with the application of our primer or paint.)
We color match to any brand paint color
So there you have it... When in doubt about whether to go for low VOC vs no VOC paints, our suggestion is indeed to use a safe zero VOC water-based acrylic paint, because it's durable, eco friendly, and easy to apply.
Looking for more no VOC paint info?
We covered a lot, and hopefully, now you have more information to make an informed decision when it comes to your non toxic paint. If you'd like to dive deeper into here are a few helpful resources: our actionable digital guide Clean Air 101, a related article on the importance of keeping clean air in your home and our selection of non toxic paints to make it happen :)
