When talking about alternative paints, it is important to understand the term "non- toxic" is used in a very broad sense and is more a matter of the degree of toxicity

Acute implications: Eye irritation / watering, Nose irritation, Throat irritation, Headaches, Nausea / Vomiting, Dizziness and Asthma exacerbation Chronic implications:Cancer, Liver damage, Kidney damage, Central Nervous System damage EPA's Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside. During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint stripping, levels may be 1,000 times outdoor levels :chemicals compounds containing carbon that evaporate easily at room temperature

Three Main Categories of Low Toxicity Paint

Low VOC paints use water as a base, rather than a petroleum-based solvents because harmful emissions from water-borne surface coatings are significantly lower than solvent-borne surface coatings. In addition, these paints have either no, or very low levels, of heavy metals and formaldehyde. Although, the amount of VOC's varies among different "low-VOC" products, and is listed on the paint can. Therefore while conventional paints may not contain VOCs in excess of 200 grams per liter, low VOC paints usually contain around 25 grams/liter of VOC's. Low VOC paints also still emitt an odor until it dries.

Zero VOC paints are the safest for one's health and for the environment. Any paint with VOC's in the range of 5 grams/liter or less can be called "Zero VOC", according to an EPA standard. While some manufacturers may claim "Zero-VOC's", the paint may still use colorants, biocides and fungicides with some VOC's. Also adding a color tint may bring the VOC level up to 10 grams/liter, which is still quite low.

Natural paints are made from natural raw ingredients such as water, plant oils and resins, plant dyes and essential oils. They also utilize natural minerals such as clay, chalk and talcum; milk casein, natural latex, bees' wax, earth and mineral dyes. Water-based natural paints give off almost no smell. The oil-based natural paints usually have a pleasant fragrance of citrus or essential oils. Individuals with allergies and sensitivities generally have no negative reactions to these paints.

BioShield Clay Paint $40/gallon Ingredients: Water, Clay, Porcelain Clay, Chalk, Alcohol Ester (as a binder), Cellulose, preservative, and with Clay White #12-00, Titanium Dioxide. -recommended in low traffic areas because stains easily Devoe Wonder Pure $30/Gallon- No VOC Low Toxicity Paint Manufacturers

If all American families shifted even ten percent of their purchases to green products and services, more than $170 billion would be put to work growing the green economy.

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