Better Home Ideas, Inc. strongly encourages the use of environmentally safe products
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) Found in most commercially available house paint, VOCs are petroleum-based chemicals such as formaldehyde, xylenes, and benzene. VOCs produce ground-level ozone (a major contributor to air pollution) when they are exposed to sunlight. The EPA reports that 9% of the airborne, low-level ozone pollutants come from VOCs in paint. Some of these VOCs have been linked in scientific studies to bad health outcomes, including eye, nose, and throat irritation, nausea, headaches, and even cancer.
While this term has gone largely unnoticed up until a decade ago, there has recently been much talk about VOC's in North America and Europe. The major concern with VOCs is their contribution to pollution in our air, soil, and ground water. However, another major problem has now become apparent, the issue of VOCs in our indoor atmosphere. According to the EPA is considered one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes.
The American Environmental Protection Association found that the levels of several types of common VOC pollutants can be from 2-5 times higher inside than outside. Because VOCs are volatile, they can “off-gas” from the walls into the air as the paint is applied or as it dries. This, combined with the fact that the paint is usually applied to a large area, can cause people living or spending time in these freshly painted homes to have exposures to VOCs that are much greater than normal – as much as 1000 times greater and for as long as seven years. These potentially large exposures – and resulting smells, headaches, and other potential health effects -- cause many (including you!) to look for lower VOC or chemical-free paints.
With the explosion of Green thinking in recent years, there are steps we can take to significantly decrease the amount of VOCs polluting our environment and homes. There are several environmentally-friendly options in the way of =VOC absent cleaning products, building materials, and paints and surface coatings.
Our company promotes the use and knowledge of eco-friendly products to help reverse and prevent the effects of VOCs in our natural environment. We use low-no VOC paint and coating systems wherever we can and are active in the responsible disposal of coating waste. We recommend organic, recycled, non-toxic and local products for use in our business practices and are always open to new products, questions and ideas.
