VOCs in Paint
(or “What most paint companies will not tell you”)
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Here's a clue: low - VOC and zero - VOC do not necessarily mean what you think. You might think that when you see "low VOC" on a can of paint, it means that there is very little VOC in it. And Surely "Zero VOC" means exactly that then - "ZERO VOC" or "No VOCs". Unfortunately its not quite as simple as that..... |
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The EU 2010 VOC regulations for decorative paints (category 1b) permits the use of upto 30grams per litre solvent. The US EPA allows for paints containing up to 250 grams per litre - that's more than 33 ounces per gallon! Even in the UK, this equates to a cupful of solvent in every gallon of "water-based" paint ! The Green Seal GS-11 standard is given to paints that contain upto 50 gm per litre of Matt paint and 150 grams per litre of other paints. Let's spell that out clearly: Even a standard that purports to be a definition of healthy paint permits the use of more than 6 ounces of VOC or solvent in every gallon of paint ! Ludicrous? – you decide. Manufacturers are allowed to call their paint "Zero VOC" even when it contains 5 grams per litre VOCs – nearly one ounce per gallon (5L). For this reason, we feel that both the EU 2010 & Green Seal standards are misleading and ECOS Paints will not carry these labels as we feel that the public is being blatantly misled. Also beware of paints that are low VOC or no VOC until a colour is added. Paint should be zero VOC even when tinted - so be aware of those VOC-containing pigments! All ECOS Paints and Varnishes contain ZERO VOCs. When we say Zero, we mean Zero ! So it's not as simple as you might think and the answer is not as obvious as it should be. We hope we have been able to shed a little light on the matter. We have been producing paints and varnishes which are completely free of VOCs, and other toxic chemicals since 1988. We started making healthy, "green", environmentally safe paint not only before it was fashionable, but before most people realized there was a need. We're quite passionate about it, in fact. So we hope you'll forgive this short session on the soapbox! |
ECOS Organic Paints DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOU! All ECOS Paints products are:
Odorless, solvent-free, VOC-free, water-based organic Paints |
