As we learn more about Healthier Living, we discover so many helpful tips to share! When you’re getting ready to paint your home, it’s easy to get carried away by the joy of a DIY or decor and refresh project. But there’s one important thing to keep in mind: the paint you pick just might contain VOCs you definitely don't want to put all over your walls and cabinets.
In fact, VOCs can pack a big punch, and not in a good way, posing a threat to your health and the air quality inside your home.
While we're all about being positive and focusing on ways to improve your health and wellness, we're also all about the truth. In this article, we discuss the truth about what you may experience when exposed to VOCs found in paint, and the dangers of chronic exposure to VOCs in paint fumes inside a home. We'll also talk about ways to ensure you and your family can safely avoid exposure to VOCs in paint.
Let's take a closer look at what are VOCs in paint, why it’s a good idea to be mindful when painting, how they’re measured, and some simple tips to help you minimize your exposure. This way, you can create a safe and healthy space for you and your loved ones to enjoy!
What Does VOC Mean in Paint?
It's one of the most common questions we get. What does VOC mean in paint? For starters, let's define a VOC in the simplest terms: VOC in paint stands for volatile organic compound, which is a chemical that can vaporize into the air -- like steam from a boiling pot of water.
The difference is VOC's commonly refer to harmful airborne fumes, such as VOC's that are found in thousands of materials used in new home construction, furnishings, cars, makeup, perfume, the list goes on.
In our previous article on VOCs and How to Remove them from your Home, we covered most types of Volatile Organic Compounds found in your home, explaining that VOCs are a group of organic chemicals that can easily become vapors or gases.
Now it's time to uncover perhaps the most important ones to be aware of, because of their effects on the air we breathe. These cover the most area around you inside your home. You guessed it, what are VOCs in paint?
But what is VOC in paint?
In most commercial paint on the market, VOCs act as solvents, helping the paint apply smoothly and dry quickly.
However, as the paint dries, these compounds evaporate, which is why freshly painted rooms often have that strong "paint smell." Even long after the paint has cured, the solvents in most house paints will continue to offgas into the air for a very long time, some for many years.
VOCs are also added during the manufacturing process, because these chemicals are readily available and cheaper, which lower the cost to manufacture the paint and increase the paint's shelf life. But what may seem like the cheaper option to purchase off the shelf in the paint section may very well may have expensive health consequences over the long-term.
While VOCs may help to improve how cheaper paint works and to prolong its shelf life, these chemicals can be harmful to your health if inhaled. Especially over the course of time at low levels, which is exactly what happens with chronic exposure inside a home or office building.
Which VOCs are in Paint?
Paint can contain various types of VOCs. When it comes to what does VOC mean in paint, it's important to look for some of these main ones:
Benzene: Benzene is usually found in glossy paints, sprays and paint thinners. It's a colorless liquid that can sometimes have no smell, but it is highly flammable. Unlike other chemicals, you might not notice benzene for years. But once your walls are painted, it can evaporate into your home and affect your immune system over time. It is a known carcinogen associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Formaldehyde: Ever been so excited to finally unpack that new mattress or piece of furniture, but as soon as you tear the plastic, a nasty odd smell comes out too? Or you open a desk drawer and smell that musty smell. That most likely be formaldehyde. It is commonly found in many household products including paint, and it can cause respiratory issues, rashes, irritation and is tied to cancers.
Toluene: Toluene is often used in paints, paint thinners, and lacquers to help make the paint easier to apply and dry well. You might smell toluene when you use strong-smelling glue. Breathing in toluene can cause you headaches, dizziness, and tiredness in the short term.
Xylene: Similar to toluene, xylene can cause headaches and respiratory problems. The most common way people are exposed to xylene is by breathing it in since it evaporates quickly. The vapors can go straight into your lungs, making it hard to avoid.
Ethylbenzene: Linked to respiratory irritation and potential long-term health effects.
How Indoor Air Quality Is Compromised
VOCs can accumulate more easily indoors, especially during activities like cleaning, painting or renovations. Studies show that indoor levels of VOCs can be significantly higher than outdoor levels—sometimes up to ten times higher—and that's why we can't stress how important proper ventilation during painting projects is.
These compounds are often found in both oil-based and latex paints, though oil-based paints typically have higher VOC levels. The quickest way to determine if you have an indoor air quality issue is to test for VOCs. But be sure to listen to you body, as there will be signs.
Are VOCs in Paint Dangerous?
Yes! VOCs in paint can be dangerous. Besides smelling fumes in the air, here's some tell-tale signs that harmful fumes may be lurking inside your home.
Symptoms of VOC exposure include:
Nausea
Dizziness
Headaches
Year-round allergies
Rashes
Chronic infections
Inflammation
Feeling out of it and spacy
GI upset
Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
Why are VOCs Dangerous in Paint?
Now that you're familiar with concepts about what are VOCs in paint, let's talk about -- why are VOCs dangerous? And, what happens inside your body when you're exposed to VOCs?
Once VOCs are released inside your home, you inhale them as you breathe the air. Your lungs are trying to soak up oxygen from the air, but instead they're absorbing the VOCs. These chemical fumes from the air are then rapidly absorbed into the blood stream through your lungs, and also your skin.
Your body knows these foreign chemicals in your blood are harmful, so the immune system launches inflammation in an attempt to sequester these chemicals. Meanwhile your body is being starved of adequate oxygen. If you're chronically exposed to harmful VOCs, this is when the recipe for chronic inflammation begins. You'll begin to feel spacy and out of it from the lack of oxygen.
Meanwhile your body's internal detox system is working overtime to break down these chemicals into less harmful metabolites, so your kidneys and liver can excrete them. Your body switches into fight or flight to get the job done. However, your body is like a rain barrel, and with too much of a bad thing being poured into your system, your detox efforts will eventually not be able to keep up.
Now your body must resort to storing these harmful VOCs that are continuing to circulate and pile up in your bloodstream. So it stores them in your body fat, a place that is less accessed compared to your organs and muscles. However, since your brain requires a lot of blood supply and is made up of mainly fat, it becomes the perfect storage vault for the toxic chemicals.
Once stored away, these VOCs begin to impair your nervous system function and things start to go haywire. Long term exposure can result in damage to your liver, central nervous system, lungs and kidneys. With that kind of damage, chronic illness sets in, and you're in for a long battle to regain your health.
Know that the health risks associated with exposure to these volatile organic compounds can vary based on the specific type of VOC, the level of exposure and time period. More about what level of VOC is dangerous in a minute. But first, let's talk about how to avoid VOCs in paint!
If you're looking to keep your home safe from nasty chemicals, here are some easy tips for picking clean, healthy paint:
Do your homework: When we say check, we mean check the ingredients. Oftentimes, paint companies get away with including exempt VOCs (yes, sad but true.)
Pick durable water-based acrylics: In terms of longevity and performance, look for water-based acrylic paints that don’t contain harmful solvents, hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), fungicides, or preservatives. This means making sure your paint contains no ammonia, no acetone, no formaldehyde donors, no hidden ingredients.
Check the colorants: Most paint tinting colorants have VOCs. Ask if the paint colorants that are added to paint during the tinting process are also no VOC content?
Use real No VOC Paints: Choose paints that are labeled as "Zero VOC" for your walls, cabinets, and furniture. Check to make sure these paints are formulated without harmful chemicals and safe to be around and handle for kids, pregnant mamas, and even pets.
Seal your walls and surfaces that are offgassing: If you've already used a higher VOC paint in your home, paint over them with a primer and paint designed to block and encapsulate off-gassing from surface sources, such as existing walls and furnishings. (More on this below.)
How are VOCs in Paint Measured?
VOCs in paint are typically measured in grams per liter (g/L). Different types of paints have industry specific standards and varying acceptable limits for VOC content:
Low-VOC Paint: Generally contains less than 50 g/L.
No-VOC Paint: While marketed as free from VOCs, most of these paints may still contain trace amounts (less than 5 g/L).
If you're wondering about the the technical aspects as to how are VOCs in paint measured, there are third party testing facilities that perform these tests. But you can also purchase a VOC meter to test your own space (article on tips for how to do this).
Now that you know what is VOC content in paint, make sure to always check the paint labels for VOC levels.
What is a Safe VOC Level in Paint?
Wondering what levels of VOCs are safe in paint? The answer is often times subjective. Different reputable sources claim differing amounts about what is a safe VOC level in paint.
The U.S. EPA has established guidelines for acceptable VOC levels in paint in indoor environments. Generally speaking, they can be summarized like this:
Safe VOC levels in paint once cured are considered to be below 50 g/L for most formulas.
For sensitive individuals (such as children or those with respiratory issues, pregnant mamas and pets), safe VOC levels in paint that's cured should be lower (below 10 g/L).
Zero VOC is of course the safest and best option for any home.
When choosing something as permanent as paint, we definitely recommend looking for labels indicating "low-VOC" or "no-VOC" options to reduce exposure risks. Bearing in mind that though minimal, there is a big difference between the safety of 'low' and 'no' inside a home where VOC fumes can easily build up and become exponential.
Whether we're talking about measuring heavy metals, forever chemical, radiation, or VOCs, these all add to a person's (or pet's) toxic load. While our bodies detox, we each have an acceptable threshold, and a limit to where the burden becomes too overwhelming.
Our mission at Healthier Homes is to build & furnish healthy homes differently, with stricter nontoxic standards that put occupant wellness first. That's why our acceptable VOC levels in paint are zero VOC.
What VOC paint certifications are important to look for?
Many recognizable certifications like Green Guard, Cradle to Cradle, and other similar seals still let levels of harmful VOCs in products. We feel they aren't strict enough for our nontoxic paint standards.
While there is value in third party testing, many of the common paint certifications must allow for some leeway in the level and number of VOCs. If their VOC and Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAPs) criteria were too strict, hardly any paints (or other products) would meet their qualifications. Most paint certification companies have lower standards to remain in business.
Fact - most paint certifications are prohibitively expensive, costing a paint company anywhere from $30,000 to over $100,000 annually for a simple line of paints and primers. For small, family owned companies like Healthier Homes, these green certifications are not only cost prohibitive. They're also not worth their perceived value in our opinion. We feel that their certification standards aren't strict enough on safe levels of harmful VOCs allowed in paint formulas.
How long do VOCs last after painting?
Since paints, stains and clear coat lacquers cover the most surface area inside a home or office, the question of how long do VOCs last after painting is very important to consider... After painting a room, VOCs continue to evaporate into the air for some time after the painting is over. Depending on the air temperature, humidity levels, and other environmental factors, the levels can be higher.
Some of the off-gassing of these chemicals occurs within the first few days after application; however, chemicals used in even low VOC paints can continue to release low levels of VOCs for months and many years. Some even without you knowing, like benzene, a common paint ingredient which can be odorless and carcinogenic (double yikes)!
To minimize VOC exposure after painting (and during):
Make sure to have proper ventilation by opening windows and using fans
Wear a respirator and goggles while painting
Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water
Avoid occupying freshly painted rooms for a few days, or longer if possible
Reduce unnecessary risk and VOC exposure by choosing no VOC primers and paints
FAQs about VOCs in Paint
Are all VOCs Harmful?
Not all volatile organic compounds are harmful; in fact, harmless and safe items like white vinegar and lemons contain VOCs. These clean and natural household staples found in most kitchens aren't harmful or toxic. Instead we should rephrase the question from 'are all VOCs harmful' to 'are all HAPs harmful?' And the answer is yes.
What are HAPs?
What Does VOC-Compliant Mean?
Can you sleep in a Low VOC painted room?
How Long does it take for VOC to dissipate?
What does 80 VOC mean?
In a nutshell...here's how to lower VOC in Paint
To reduce your exposure to volatile organic compounds while painting:
Choose low-VOC or Zero VOC waterbased acrylic wall & trim paint and primer
Make sure to open windows and have adequate ventilation during and after painting
Paint during favorable curing conditions (or in a conditioned space) in low humidity and cool to warmer temps
Use safe water-based acrylic lacquers instead of oil-based ones for your cabinets, furniture and wood projects
Avoid using products containing VOCs by checking the labels & simply asking
Already used a higher VOC paint in your home? HH paints are designed to block offgassing from the surface and from behind painted surfaces.
By understanding what are VOCs in paint and taking proactive safe measures during your painting projects, you have the power to take matters into your own hands! This is important to be able to create a living environment to promote wellness for yourself and your family for many years to come.
To learn more about Healthier Homes zero VOC paints, primers and sealers, click here!
