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Traditional household paints contain many chemicals that emit harmful vapors, sometimes capable of off-gassing for months. The “volatile organic compounds,” or VOCs evaporating out of paint solvents react with factory and vehicle emissions to help form harmful ozone molecules.

VOCs are consistently higher indoors than outdoors and greatly impair indoor air quality. According to the American Lung Association, VOCs can produce a number of physical problems such as eye and skin irritation, lung and breathing problems, headaches, nausea, muscle weakness and liver and kidney damage.

The type and amount of VOCs in a household paint generally varies with the type and brand of paint, but traditional household paints generally contain many VOCs, including benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene.

Thankfully paint manufacturers have begun offering low or no VOC paint. The EPA allows any paint with five or fewer grams of VOCs per liter to be called “no VOC”. The amount of VOCs in paint can differ by brand and sheen.

Comparing labels may not give you the whole picture; it is best to obtain the manufacturer’s material safety and data sheet (MSDS). If the store does not have it, call the manufacturer or visit their website to obtain a copy.

These low and no VOC paints work well, with studies showing that they work as well as or better than many conventional latex paints. The exception is in the gloss paints. They don’t deliver the enamel-type properties that we’ve grown accustomed to.

“Natural” paints are another option. These paints are entirely free of man-made chemicals and thus are the least polluting.

“Natural” paints are composed of natural raw materials, such as linseed, citrus, and soy oils, pine- and balsam-derived turpenes, minerals, plant pigments, lime, and chalk. Although they are made from natural ingredients, “natural” paints may still emit significant amounts of VOCs from ingredients like turpenes or citrus oil, which can also cause eye or lung irritation in some people.

“Milk-based” paints, on the other hand, emit no natural or man-made VOCs, but have limited usage (for example, not in kitchens, bathrooms, or other damp areas), take a long time to dry, and require frequent repainting.

Many paints contain the Green Seal Mark. Go to www.greenseal.org to learn more.