This article first appeared in the Austin American Statesman. When You Paint Austin Green Builder Program Staff Painting is of the quickest ways to give your home a new look. Whether it's just a bathroom or the whole house, it's an easy way to remodel. Now you can make environmentally-sound choices when you select the paint for your next project. A VOC is an organic chemical that becomes a breathable gas at room temperature.
Some examples are benzene, ethylene glycol, vinyl chloride and mercury.
VOCs in paint usually come from additives to the paint, such as fungicides, biocides, color, and spreadability agents. High levels of VOCs in paints can cause headaches, allergic reactions, and health problems in the very old, very young and in those with chronic illnesses. Concerns about air pollution and hazardous waste have greatly reduced the use of oil-based paints which can release high amounts of VOCs and contain toxic solvents. Alkyd-based paints and latex paints are much safer, but some still have high levels of VOCs. Because of health and safety concerns, paint manufacturers around the country have made great strides in formulating paints that have no or low-VOCs and that provide excellent results.