Know What’s in Your Paint
Why Paint Ingredient Disclosure is Vital
Aside from freshening up a space and adding value to your home, office, or other establishment, a fresh or even dated coat of paint can carry with it a variety of disturbances. From unpleasant symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and nausea to severe asthmatic and allergic reactions, there can be more to traditional paints than meets the eye. It’s safe to say that these less-than-appealing effects often result from a consumer’s lack of knowledge regarding the chemical makeup of the paint itself. After all, if you knew that harmful toxins were in your house paint, you probably wouldn’t buy the product, let alone use it… right?
Many manufacturers don’t disclose their paint’s ingredients, making it difficult for people who suffer from allergies, asthma, and chemical intolerances to know what harmful ingredients are lurking inside their paint. Depending on the toxic substances and the length of their off-gassing process, these chemicals can lead to immediate and long-term health problems, from headaches and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat to nerve damage!
Why is Paint Ingredient Disclosure Important?
To those who suffer from allergies, asthma, multiple chemical sensitivities, and other chemical intolerances, complete disclosure is a necessity when it comes to purchasing and using paint. Unfortunately, finding a product that fully lists its contents is extremely rare. Whether it’s for health or environmental reasons, without a transparent list of ingredients available, many people find it extremely difficult—if not impossible—to find a paint they’re comfortable using in their home or office.
While some people get a headache, develop a slight cough, or feel nauseous until a freshly painted room is completely aired out, others develop more serious symptoms. For those who are asthmatic or allergic to harmful chemicals, toxic paint fumes can be extremely harmful. Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) are two very common and dangerous irritants. These and other toxic VOCs can trigger unpleasant reactions, such as airborne contact dermatitis. These reactions, which range from mild to severe, can even require hospitalization in some cases.
If people don’t know what’s included in their paint, they’re either going to buy it and suffer the potential consequences, or they’re going to avoid painting altogether. In some cases, in order to let the worst of the off-gassing process pass, those who are sensitive to chemicals will have to leave their home for a few days or even for a few weeks. Other people simply avoid repainting their homes, knowing that they will be unable to deal with the health effects of traditional paints. This isn’t right.
What is Paint Usually Made Of?
Most traditional house paints contain a slew of toxins that are harmful to people, pets, and the environment. Traditional interior paints and other paint-related products, such as paint thinner and paint stripper, are loaded with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are gases that release into the air the moment you open a can of paint. These chemicals are a big contributor to poor indoor air quality and pose potentially serious health risks.
Many VOC-laden paints also include preservatives such as MI (methylisothiazolinone) and MCI (methylchloroisothiazolinone), which are potent biocides that control or destroy microbes, bacteria, and other microorganisms. While killing harmful microorganisms seems like a good idea at first, the chemicals that enable this to happen are just as, if not more, harmful. Why would you want to breathe these fumes in?
All in all, house paints can potentially contain a wide range of toxic pollutants, depending on the type and brand. Aside from the components listed above, other common toxins found in traditional paints are:
- Xylene
- Ethyl acetate
- Methylene chloride
- Glycol
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Phenol
- Quaternary ammonium compounds
- Carbamates
- And many more
Source:https://ecospaints.net/paint-ingredient-disclosure-vital-avoid-toxic-paints.
