Zero-VOC paint - Now in Many Colors

By HHI Staff

Categories: Green Living, Building, Health & Safety, Materials & Furnishings, Design, Air

Being "green" has never been so colorful now that zero-VOC paints are available in a wide range of colors.

Zero-VOC paints were introduced more than a decade ago, but the palette was restricted to pale colors since adding colorant typically adds VOCs. The deeper and more saturated the color, the more colorant is used and, often, the more VOCs are present. Some high-color paints are legitimately zero-VOC due to the use of dry pigments for colorant, but the color performance and fidelity of these paints may be compromised because the dry ingredient may not disperse well in wet paint.

Recent technology - specifically, a waterborne colorant system - yields a VOC-free formulation regardless of color, and claims easy application, effective hide, and durability. It dries fast and is virtually odorless according to the manufacturer (Benjamin Moore), plus it is washable within days after it's been applied.

Green Seal Addresses VOCs

Measurement of VOCs has historically been an imprecise process. The lower the VOC level, the more difficult it has been to get an accurate measure. The Green Seal GS-11 certification incorporates a more direct test method that produces a more accurate reading of VOCs and other toxic chemicals. The new testing process is estimated to be 10 times more effective in measuring exact VOC levels, according to Green Seal.

Many painters are not aware that they often increase the VOC levels by adding colorants to the base paint. For most paints the darker the tint, the higher the VOCs of the final blend. Green Seal’s updated GS-11 is the first paint standard in the US to reduce the VOC levels of colorants. By adjusting the levels of VOCs allowed in base paint and including criteria for colorants, Green Seal says the new standard ensures that even a heavily tinted paint will still contain minimum VOCs.

Claims for low-VOC and no-VOC paint can be confusing if not misleading. Several organizations can help:

The health and environmental benefits of "green" paints must also be weighed against the performance tradeoffs that persist, most notably in exterior paints.

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Zero-VOC paint - Now in Many Colors: Created on June 30th, 2009. Last Modified on January 20th, 2010

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