GREEN LIVING
March 11, 2009

Beautiful Natural and Eco Paints
Get to know these new-generation
paints for a healthier home

By Lindsay Borthwick

Photo: istockphoto.com/mevans

As eco grows increasingly chic, more companies are offering paints labeled "low-VOC." VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are found in a host of building materials and are partly responsible for that new-paint smell. But some VOCs provide more than an unpleasant whiff. These unstable chemicals off-gas into the atmosphere and contribute to the buildup of ozone, which is why governments began regulating them in the late 1980s. They also accumulate in the home, where levels can be as much as five times higher inside than out, and can cause health problems when inhaled. Painters complain about irritation to the eyes, nose and throat; higher concentrations can trigger headaches, nausea, allergies and chemical sensitivities and more. No wonder Health Canada recommends choosing low-emission products.

But not all eco-conscious paints are created equally. Some manufacturers are going further, creating products that are free of other unregulated solvents and additives that may be harmful to health and the environment. A few are made with ingredients from natural, reclaimed or renewable sources. Better yet, these products perform like other premium paints. But since you may not find them in the local hardware store, allow extra time for the shipping of colour decks, sample pots and paint.

Synthetic Paints: Low-VOC and Zero-VOC

Latex paints are the most common house paints on the market. The glue that holds the paint together is acrylic, a synthetic polymer. Most major brands have begun to produce low- or zero-VOC lines, though zero-VOC is actually a misnomer, since acrylic paints still contain trace amounts. And the tinting process usually adds some VOCs back — the darker the colour, the more VOCs. The most eco-friendly acrylics contain no extra solvents or additives and 5 g/L or less of VOCs.

Pros: Generally low odour; quick to dry; good coverage; hard-wearing; can be applied to most surfaces; large choice of colours.

Cons: Even with few VOCs, paint is synthetic and may contain other harmful solvents and additives; attracts dust; paint must not be washed down the drain.

Some brands: Zero-VOC – AFM Safecoat, YOLO Colourhouse.
Low-VOC – Farrow & Ball Water-Based Eggshell, Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin-Williams Duration Home, CIL Dulux Natural Whites, C2 LoVo

Recycled

Several manufacturers are now recycling post-consumer interior latex paints, which are generally low-VOC because much of the solvent has evaporated over the life span of the paint.

Pros: Like acrylic paint but with less waste; inexpensive (about $16 per gallon).

Cons: Like low-VOC acrylic paints; fewer colour options with recycled paints.

Some brands: Boomerang Paint

Natural Paints: Milk Paints

A centuries-old non-toxic formula, made from casein (a milk protein), water, limestone, clay and natural pigments such as berries, roots and minerals. Completely non-toxic, it comes as a fine powder that can be mixed at home in a kitchen blender.

Pros: VOC-free, low-odour and durable; won't peel or chip when sealed; rich, soft finish requires no priming; colours don't fade; breathable; naturally inhibits growth of mildew; dries very quickly (about 30 minutes); safe enough to wash down the drain.

Cons: Works only on unfinished, porous material such as wood and plaster but not drywall; finish is flat and chalky unless sealed (often with hemp oil or beeswax); washable only if sealed; limited colours.

Some brands: Homestead House

Clay and Natural Paints

Includes paints composed of plant- and mineral-based ingredients, including essential oils, clays and pigments. More common in Europe, there are now several North American companies making premixed paints using a soy-based resin or silicate (a mineral) as the binder.

Pros: Durable, opaque, colourfast, breathable, anti-microbial and safe to wash down the drain; generally perform more like a conventional paint and can be applied to most surfaces.

Cons: Most are VOC-free and low-odour but some contain volatile citrus-based solvents; preservative-free so they have a shorter shelf-life once opened; not as washable or scuff-resistant as conventional paints; more limited colour selection.

Some brands: Green Planet Paints, Eco House