JOIN USEasy on the environment and beneficial to home dwellers, eco-friendly paints are the need of the day. K S Someswara offers some insight into the available options.
While painting one’s home, not much thought is given to the kind of paints that are used on its exteriors and interiors. Considering that one will be staying in the house for an
extended period of time, it is important to take into consideration the kind of paint that is being used.
In this regard, one of the major trends to come out of the real estate world is that of green homes. This has also led to a surge in eco-friendly paints, which has minimal impact on the environment.
Today, there are many residents who opt for these paints in their homes for varied reasons. But the primary reason is that an increasing number of people today are becoming environmentally conscious.
There are thousands of chemicals that are used to make paints and these can be grouped under Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Some of these combinations are created to enhance the efficiency of applying the paint on a certain area.
The toxic paints are prepared without having sufficient research or knowledge on the implications that they will have on the environment and humans as well. The presence of carcinogenic chemicals like benzene, certain heavy metals and phthalates in paints have a serious health impact on the kidney and liver.
How it’s made
Unlike VOC paints, non-toxic paints or eco-friendly paint not only nullifies the possible health hazards, but also reduces environmental damage. Odourless and non-VOC, these paints can be mixed with any colour to get the desired shade and are safe for
chemically-sensitive people. Eco-friendly paints are produced from about 250 chemical compounds, out of which almost every chemical is derived naturally from plant sources and minerals. Eco-friendly paints, thinners, stains and waxes are derived from raw
materials such as citrus peel extracts, essential oils, seed oils, tree resins, inert mineral fillers, tree and bee waxes, lead-free dryers and natural pigments.
Using these kinds of environmentally safe products on the interiors of a home can cause a dramatic effect on the quality of the home dwellers’ lives. Some of these paints can even keep the room temperature down without one having to use a room cooler or air conditioner! There are three types of eco-friendly paints that are used:
lLime wash: This acts as a primer.
lMilk paint: This is made from casein, a milk protein and comes in a powder form. This must then be mixed with water for effective application.
lClay paint: This paint is a quick adhesive on the surface, but lacks colour options.
Easy to apply
There are several benefits to using these eco-friendly paints for your home. The low volatile organic compound paints can bear normal wear and tear just as well as the regular paints. They are easy to apply and durable — usually lasting for about five years. These paints are also easily washable with a damp cloth without any discolouration or fading and they need no touch-up later.
On the other hand, the VOC solvents used in regular paints help in holding the ingredients together in a liquid state. When it is applied on the walls, the VOCs escape to the air. When applied indoors, the VOCs add to a unhealthy air environment and a prolonged exposure to these hazardous air pollutants can lead to various health complications like respiratory and metabolic illnesses, and headaches, among others.
A paint is said to be low in VOC if it meets the standard of less than 200 gm of VOC in one litre of the paint. VOC paints with less than five gm of VOC per litre are also available in the market. Unlike the outside environment, where the pollutants are more diluted, in a home the air is 70 times more polluted with the use of items like carpets and furniture. These eco-friendly products can act as atmospheric purifiers, which absorb and neutralise the chemicals and pollution. The use of special silica ingredients can help in absorbing and negating the pollution effects permanently.
Eco-friendly paints are slowly gaining prominence. When used in conjuction with other natural materials, they play a significant role in creating not just a safer home, but also a safer environment. And you can live in a world that is truly green!