Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are organic chemical compounds such as formaldehyde or gasoline that evaporate quickly especially from solvents, adhesives, fuels, or industrial wastes and that contribute to photochemical smog in the atmosphere. Indoor air quality is also significantly impacted by VOCs and according to the EPA, makes indoor air one of the top five leading health risks in the US.

There are three strategies to improving indoor air quality:  source control, improved ventilation and air cleaners.  Since exposure to VOCs can trigger asthma attacks, eye irritation and respiratory problems, nausea and dizziness, not to mention kidney and liver disease and even cancer it is important to be aware of the pollutants with which we surround ourselves. Limiting the amount of VOCs brought into an environment is an important component of source control and one heavily focused on in the LEED rating system.

The odor associated with paint is the evaporation of VOCs used in the solvent vehicle and the tinting pigment.  This is an important concept because the reported VOC level of paints is a reflection of the base without the tint and therefore not a true reflection of the total VOCs.  However, much like MPG ratings for cars, it gives you a base to compare.  It’s somewhat obvious that VOC intensive paint such as oil paint is more dangerous but things get a bit more nebulous with what is considered “green” or a “healthy alternative”.  Most people consider latex paint safe or safer because it does not contain the lead found in oil paints, but depending on the color there may still be dangerous heavy metals and toxins.  Like with anything, there are a lot of shades of green.

Low Odor or Low VOC Paint

Low VOC paints use water as a carrier instead of petroleum-based solvents. As such, the levels of harmful emissions are lower than solvent-borne surface coatings. These certified coatings also contain no, or very low levels, of heavy metals and formaldehyde. The amount of VOCs varies among different "low-VOC" products, and is listed on the paint can or MSDS. Paints and stains, to meet EPA standards must not contain VOCs in excess of 200 grams per liter. LEED requires that architectural paints, coatings and primers applied to interior walls and ceilings do not exceed the VOC content limits established in Green Seal Standard GS-11, Paints, First Edition, May 20, 1993 which limits flats to 50g/L and non-flats to 150g/L.

• Sherwin Williams – www.sherwin-williams.com  ProGreen® 200 Interior Latex Flat, B30-600 Series; $39.49/gallon

• Benjamin Moore – www.myaurapaints.com Aura Matte Waterborne Interior Paint 522; $55.99/gallon at Elliot’s hardware

• PPG Architectural Finishes -  www.pittsburghpaints.com Pittsburgh Paints Pure Performance; $27.90/gallon flat latex

Zero VOC Paint

Any paint with VOCs in the range of 5 grams/litre or less can be called "Zero VOC", according to the EPA Reference Test Method 24. Some manufacturers may claim "Zero-VOCs", but these paints may still use colorants, biocides and fungicides with some VOCs.  Adding a color tint can bring the VOC level up slightly to significantly depending on the brand.

• American Pride – www.green-living.com  $34.99/gallon No-VOC Latex Flat Finish

• Sherwin Williams – www.sherwin-williams.com  - Harmony® Low Odor Interior Latex Flat, B5 Series;  $38.99

• Yolo Colorhouse – www.yolocolorhouse.com – Marketed as more of a designer line with nature inspired colors; $39.99/gallon

• Freshaire Choice - www.freshairechoicepaint.com – Available only at the Home Depot, this paint has a patented pigment packet called the ColorFresh™ colorant pouch and is unique in that the pigments do not add VOCs like most other low and zero VOC options.  $34.98/gallon flat finish

Non-Toxic or Natural Paint

These are paints traditionally made from natural raw ingredients such as water, plant oils and resins, plant dyes and essential oils; natural minerals such as clay, chalk and talcum; milk casein, natural latex, bees' wax, earth and mineral dyes. Water-based natural paints give off almost no smell. The oil-based natural paints usually have a mild fragrance of citrus or essential oils. Allergies and sensitivities to these paints are uncommon.

Mythic Paint falls in the category of non-toxic, but not in the natural category.  It is actually a new type of acyclic latex developed through the University of Southern Mississippi which has eliminated VOCs and carcinogens completely and claims to have a durability superior to most premium paint performance.

• Mythic Paint - www.mythicpaint.com $49.99/gallon No-VOC Latex Flat Finish

• The Real Milk Paint Company - www.realmilkpaint.com - non-toxic paint made with milk protein, lime, clay and earth pigments. You mix a $46.00 bag of powder with water to make 1 gallon.

• Anna Sova - www.annasova.com  natural paints from milk casein, titanium dioxide and food-grade ingredients; $59.00/gallon (a local Dallas company)

• Green Planet Paints - www.greenplanetpaints.com, soy-based resins are the core of these product in comparison to the typical petroleum-based acrylics. The colorants are clay-based pigments developed by the Mayan Indians over 1,000 years ago. $31.12/gallon

LEED and Sustainability

All of the paints described here will meet the requirements for the LEED Indoor Environmental Quality credit, however it is important to point out that VOCs are not just an indoor issue.  Currently, LEED only addresses the VOC levels within the “weatherproofing system”, but the Paint Quality Institute has estimated that the VOCs in traditional paints make up 10% of the ozone depleting substances in the US.

Sustainability is a holistic endeavor and very often achieving a LEED credit is not necessarily the most sustainable option.  Most frequently the decision will come down to money, but I wonder if a paint made of petroleum that contains carcinogens can be considered “green” because it has less than it did before?

In the words of William McDonough, “less bad is not good.”  However, practicality sets in and you have to choose something that fits in your budget and provides the performance characteristics required.  Choose wisely.  There are many good choices out there.