By 14,000 B.C. the Egyptians were making paint from egg whites, gelatin, gum arabic, and beeswax. They used materials such as indigo, madder, and soil to impart color to their paints. Their paints were resilient to the wear and tear of indoor use, and egg whites or gelatin don't pose health risks. So why is paint today such a big issue?
In a word: Additives. Today's paints are complex mixtures that often include toxic additives to prevent mildew, rust, or fungus that “can leach out into the environment, the water and the land around us, and into the air creating smog and causing respiratory diseases,” according to Arthur Weissman PhD, President and CEO of Green Seal, an independent nonprofit organization that evaluates how consumer products affect people and the environment.
While these additives are unhealthy for everyone, some groups are particularly susceptible. Bathroom paints often have fungicide, a particular concern for those with chemical sensitivities. Pregnant women and asthmatics are highly sensitive to VOCs, and should stay away from freshly painted rooms. A child's developing immune system is particularly sensitive to chemicals, so think carefully before using standard paint for the nursery. Fortunately, a number of manufacturers are creating more eco-friendly paints. Here's a guide to making a choice that's healthy for you, your family, and the environment.
How to Choose Paint: Look for Green Seal
When choosing paint, look for Green Seal. Green Seal carefully tests paints and other products. A Green Seal ensures you're choosing a paint that provides optimal protection of both your and the environment's health, according to regularly reviewed and revised standards.
Finding Natural Paints
To fully reduce risk, consider a paint that completely avoids unnatural substances. ECOS, for example, creates organic, zero-VOC, nontoxic paints, and Sinan Company creates paints using organic linseed oil instead of petrochemicals, focusing on the purity of the ingredients which go into the paint in their unaltered states.
Milk paint (also called casein paint) is another natural option. These paints emit a mild non-toxic odor and are safe enough for children's toys. The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company makes old-fashioned organic paint from milk solids and lime. Its paint is VOC- and pollutant-free.
