Joan,

I have a friend who was in NASA. He is working on lower VOC's. What many people are not aware of is the use in paint of VOC's Why do they exist? What is their function? Does reducing them do something to the way Paint dry and applies?

Val Ext Desert Ocean Realty

Hi Joan - good points!  I have a new tenant in the wings that has many allergies so I will be looking into this as we have not painted the walls yet.  Thanks!

Joan - After reading this I feel like living outdoors but it just wouldn't work in the Northeast.  This is a very important subject especially with more and more people suffering from allergies. Some green products will certainly improve the quality of life.

Val...according to what I was reading the pupose of VOC's was to make the paint do...what paint does. Apparently the new paints are representative of a new process that is resulting in paints that still have good coverage and durability but little or no toxins. It's probably because until the dangers were known (like lead) there was no need to change it!

That's terriffic Carol...that makes me feel good that this post may have made a difference!

The low VOC paints are so great -- especially for people like me with lots of allergies.  I am glad that they are more available now than they were just a few years ago.

Jennifer..thanks for the comment. I'm just glad to see that people are really getting more interested in these issues!

Hey Joan...you snuck in! I haven't tried them ..but it's next on our agenda. We  did try a mold resistant paint a few years ago in a bathroom do-over. It has been wonderful!

I'm starting to learn about all this and will keep this in mind when I decide to paint my townhouse again. Mold Resistant Paint? Okay, now I need to know about that....will be back for your answer. Thanks

Sally....I'll see if my husband still has the can(he's in bed ). We have an un-vented bathroom and it works great!

Now I know why I love being outdoors all the time!

Hi, Joan!  We repainted the house a few years ago, and it's time, again (at least the areas that the bulldog slobbers, chasing toys and hitting the wall).  I'll keep this in mind- while the other paint was fine, we have the 14 year old min pinscher to worry about- her breathing is a bit wheezy these days!  Thanks, and Greta thank you, as well!

Joan, what a great post, I love it.  When it's time to redo the basement I am going to keep ALL those things in mind.  I know paint and other toxins outgass for a long time and am allergic to the odors.  And I will DEFINITELY find out about the mold resistant paint!  Thanks, Maven :)

Joan, I've heard about indoor vs outdoor air pollution, but never knew PAINT could be a source! That's scary! Thanks!

This is very interesting, Joan....lots of great links.

I hadn't realized that indoor air was so bad. This time of year the indoor air is better for me due to all of the ragweed and hay pollen in the air...I had my window open during the night and the breezes filled my bedroom with pollen and today is one of my worst allergy days yet.

I think new homes are especially bad for air quality. Fortunately they all have the air exchanger now , to bring in fresh outside air. Still, you're absolutely right...the offgassing of the paints and building materials can be pretty toxic....

Jo 

Hi Joan - Very interesting article.  I've always said that when I don't feel well, getting outside into the fresh air for a while will usually make me feel better.  Your article confirms why this is probabky not just all in my head.  Thanks for this post.

Hi Joan - thank you for your research into this! Mike Holcomb shared with me a while back that Benjamin Franklin and Florence Nightingale both tried to "get the lead out of paint." It is amazing how long it has taken low- VOC's to be developed! Interesting comment from Val about NASA developments!

Hi Monika...I had no idea that paint could emit such harmful fumes and for so long! Next time around I know what we'll be using!

Hi laurie...I'm sure dogs are affected by it too,plus that one was older right? So I would think more sensitive!

Carole...with all your sensitivities and the work you will be doing in the near future....i think the timing on this was good for you!

Lysa...I had no idea paint was that bad either! Hopefully "painting over" the bad stuff with the low-voc will seal it just like it does with lead!

Hi Jo...we sleep with our windows open all year actually (not as wide in the winter!). It may be my imagination but this year the pollen seems really potent!

Marlene...the builder I spoke to who does Energy Star homes said they have an air filtering exchange system that comes on every 20 minutes to exchange the air in the house...I thought that was very interesting!

Hi mary...it's kind of scary how little we know about the products we so innocently use! They find out more every year!

I'm eagerly awaiting that Blog!!! :)

I noticed your post in the Eco-allstars Group saying you are interested in educating yourself on green issues. This is a good post, so you must be doing it!  Suggest you sign up for the EcoBroker Certification course -- it's all on line, takes quite a bit of time, but I learned a lot!

Hi Ann...I had looked into that. Unfortuately NHAR doesn't recognise it yet as a designation! I really don't want to spend the money if it isn't"official". I have been talking to a RSNET guy about becoming an Energy Star Partner...that could be a direction for now!

Hi Joan.

I'm new to the eco-all-stars, not in the real estate arena but in the green home design arena. I have done ample research on healthy homes, and would like to share what I know about VOC's:

The number one consideration for using low VOC paint is for the person or crew that is painting.

If there are pregnant women or infants inhabiting the building or home while painting-go to low VOC paint.

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. They do not leach out of the paint forever...so the best thing to do when painting is to leave the house, put the heater on for a full day to "bake" it and rapid realease the VOC's and fumes, and open up the house to exchange the air before closing it up to inhabit it again.

One more thing, I used Pittsburgh paints-low VOC, for my Casa Concept house in Houston, and was extremely happy with the coverage and durability. I called Pittsburgh for the reports on the low VOC paints they have and was satisfied with their information.

I hope this helps somebody, and hope you will visit my site www.casaconceptdesign.com

Geraldina...what great information thank you so much for contributing to the conversation...I'm on my way to your web site:)

Joan - Good post! Also be sure your contractors are sealing all vents off during the construction process. This seemingly unimportant step many times gets missed and will affect indoor air quality for years if it is not done!

Again Mary...A wealth of thanks!!