.....................................................
Volatile Organic Compounds In Paints
How
long does paint emit VOCs into the air?
BY EMILIE SENNEBOGEN
The
word organic is usually a positive term to see on a product label.
But
in the case of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), you don't want any part of it
if you're trying to lead a greener life.
These
chemical compounds are in a variety of products that you may be using around
your house, and exposure to them can be unhealthy for children, the elderly and
people with compromised immune systems.
They're
not great for healthy adults, either.
House
paint is a common place you'll find some of the volatile organic compounds, and
lucky for you, they're also one of the easier ones to avoid.
All
you need to do is ask your local paint store to point out the low-VOC paint and
then check out the labels.
In
house paint, VOCs are released into the air once the paint is on the walls,
during the drying process.
Once
these gases are in the air you're breathing, they could lead to dizziness or a
bad headache. How many VOCs enter the air depends on what kind of paint you
have.
Normal
indoor VOC levels usually stand at about 50 percent more than outdoor air.
But
while you're painting or stripping paint, these levels can rise to as much as
500 to 1,000 times as the level of the cleaner outdoor air.
As
for how these VOCs stay in the air, it depends on how well you ventilate the
area during and after painting, as well as how many VOCs were in the paint you
were using.
They
decrease slowly over time, but a fan and some open windows will go a long way
in helping to rid the air of the unhealthy fumes.
Experts
won't go on record with across-the-board statements for how long this can take,
but brand new homes that have a multitude of materials and products that emit
VOCs have been known to remain "toxic" for many months after
construction is completed.
If
you're just painting a single room in your home, keep it well ventilated while
you paint, and the room should be OK after a day or so.
Avoid
sleeping in rooms where you have painted recently, or better yet, just buy low-
or no-VOC paint to begin with so you don't have to worry.
No comments:
Post a Comment