Everybody knows the distinct aroma of freshly applied paint. It awakens a nostalgic feeling in us and is right up there with the smell of freshly cut grass and play-doh. However, as science has taught us, along with the smell of the paint, comes certain chemicals we must be aware of—volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short.
What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs are compounds once considered to be necessary components of paint. These are part of paint solvents which keep the paint in its liquid form and lengthens initial drying time, allowing for more time while you’re working. These compounds, however, tend to evaporate over time, producing hazardous effects both to your health and to the environment.
As the traditional paint is applied, the VOCs vaporize and react with the air, creating ozone and leading to air pollution. But it doesn’t just stop polluting after the initial paint application. In fact, as the paint dries, it releases more and more VOCs, leading to continued air pollution for many years. These paints can be so bad for the environment that they are even acknowledged as the second largest VOC-emitting source on the planet, second only to cars.
Along with their effect on the environment, these VOCs are also harmful to us. Health problems like headaches, breathing issues, watery eyes and burning sensations, all the way to liver and kidney cancers, have been connected to VOCs. This means that people who are regularly exposed to VOC-containing paints are at higher risks for health problems in their futures.
Traditional Paints and Low-VOC Paints
Because of the increasing awareness of the public with VOCs and their harmful effects, many people are now shifting to low-VOC paints.
As mentioned earlier, VOCs slow the drying time of the paint, letting the user work with the product for longer. This is because VOCs are actually byproducts of oil-based solvents used in traditional paints. They were once thought to be vital to the workability of the product. This is also the reason why VOC paints still exist now, even when we understand that they are not necessary to the paint.
These days, with the shift to using low-VOC paints, these compounds now have less of a negative impact. Paints with water-based solvents (and low-VOC content) are being used more and more and are the future of paints in general.
It is important to note however, that even though these low-VOC paints use water-based solvents, they still have VOC content, as even the paint pigments and binders which are components of all paints, naturally contain VOC. But by choosing to use low-VOC paints, the environmental and health problems are decreased, and so, using low-VOC paints is still a matter of importance.
The problem posed with low-VOC paints now however, is that these types of paints need a modified application method because low VOC content means that the formulation of the paints are now different. But with a bit of ingenuity and practice, this won’t be an issue.
How to Apply Low-VOC Paints
Here are a few tips on how to apply these types of paints:
- Choose the right brush. It is generally recommended to use brushes with greater bristle count and stiffness to facilitate less dipping and faster spreading of the paint.
- Paint in smaller increments to prevent the paint from drying before you’re done.
- Use a humidifier in the room to lengthen the paint’s dry time if necessary.
- When using a roller, work quickly and efficiently. Synthetic roller sleeves provide a more uniform finish and give you just enough leeway before the paint dries.
How McCarthy Painting, Co. Rises to The Challenge
Here at McCarthy Painting, Co., we not only take care of beautifying your home and business, we also advocate to protect your health and the environment. We believe that a beautifully-painted home doesn’t need to be problematic for the health of your family and an exquisitely-finished building doesn’t need to be harmful to the environment. Whenever we do jobs, we make sure to explain to you these important points and we only use the best paints for all of your home and business needs.
At McCarthy Painting, Co., we trust that sustainable and environmentally friendly actions are the responsible way to help paint a brighter and more vivid tomorrow.