Fumes from paint can be bad for your health and the planet

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A brush with pollution

Fumes from paint can be bad for your health and the planet. Simon Birch

finds alternatives

Saturday October 9, 1999

Despite recent efforts on the part of the paint industry, household paint is

still one of the most toxic and environmentally damaging substances that we

willingly introduce into our homes.

The main cause for concern is a group of toxic chemicals called volatile

organic compounds (VOCs) which are given off while you're using the stuff

and are the source of that familiar, sickly fresh-paint smell. Medical

research suggests that asthma, multiple chemical sensitivity and sick

building syndrome are all worsened or brought on by the release of VOCs.

Even if you ventilate the room while the paint dries, you won't get rid of

all the toxic nasties. " Some people are particularly sensitive to the low

levels of VOCs that are given off from paint, long after it has been

applied, " says green architect Pat Borer.

Once these chemicals find their way into the atmosphere during warm sunny

weather, they react with other pollutants to produce photochemical smog.

The paint industry has been working towards reducing the levels of VOCs in

paints with many companies stating the VOC content on their cans.

However, environmental researchers feel manufacturers are glossing over the

full environmental impact. " While the levels of VOCs might well be reduced, "

says Nicola of Ethical Consumer magazine, " Paint still contains

chemicals whose production is known to be polluting and massively dependent

on non-renewable resources. "

Only earlier this year an incident at ICI's Teesside titanium dioxide plant

which produces white paint pigment resulted in hydrochloric acid leaking

over an internationally important wildlife reserve.

Every year large numbers of half-filled paint pots are slung out with the

rubbish to contaminate landfill tips.

To deal with this problem, the Leeds-based recycling company Swap

co-ordinates more than a dozen Community Re>Paint schemes across the

country. These take unused paint and distribute it to local voluntary groups

and community organisations.

This problem would not arise if we chose paint with a less damaging impact

on the environment. Natural paints - made from ingredients such as orange

peel oil which wouldn't be out of place on a Body Shop counter - are now

being sold by an increasing band of small, independent companies across the

UK. They pose far less of a threat to health and are particularly popular

with allergy sufferers.

All natural paint producers label their ingredients, which are mostly

renewable, organic and biodegradable. For example, some natural paints use a

naturally occurring resin to act as a binder. The resin is harvested in a

non-destructive, sustainable way from the dammar tree which grows in

tropical rainforests.

Casein paint is based on something that you're proba bly more used to

finding in your tea - a milk-derived protein. It is sold in a powder form

which you mix yourself.

It uses the same naturally occurring pigments that artists have been using

for hundreds of years, giving a colour chart that might make you think

you're about to paint a masterpiece rather than the master bedroom.

Natural paints are nothing new, as , from Livos Paints, explains:

" A large number of natural paints such as limewash simply use traditional

technology. "

With chalk and water as its base ingredients, limewash is handmade and like,

casein paint, is coloured with artists' pigments such as iron oxides. Such

is its high alkalinity, it was once used to disinfect hospitals and users

are advised to use gloves and goggles.

But there's nothing old-fashioned about the price. Natural paints can be up

to five times as expensive as normal paint. Are they worth it? Pat Borer is

in no doubt: " Natural paints perform much better and generally last longer

than ordinary paints. If you look in the longer term, they do offer good

value for money. "

• Natural Paint Suppliers: Auro Organic Paints, tel: 01799-584888.

Livos Paints, tel: 01952-883288.

Liz Induni Traditional Paints, tel: 01929-423776.

Nutshell Natural Paints, tel: 01364-642892.

Swap, tel: 0113-243-8777.

Ethical Consumer magazine, tel: 0161-226-2929