Volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) are chemicals that, along with oxides of nitrogen and sunlight, create ground level ozone, a major component of smog. Certain VOCs are also harmful when inhaled and may pose indoor air quality concerns.
In fact, studies have shown that indoor VOCs can be up to 5 times more harmful to health than outdoor VOCs! Adverse health effects may include eye, nose, and throat irritation, allergic reactions, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
The first is to increase the ventilation in your home by opening your windows and doors, and switching on your fans. This will ensure that a consistent supply of fresh air flows through.
Secondly, minimize your exposure by looking for products with low or, if possible, zero VOC.
At Benjamin Moore, we constantly strive to improve our products by reformulating various product lines to ensure VOC emissions are as low as possible. For instance, we were the first company in the US to introduce a zero VOC waterborne tinting system to the marketplace.
We try to be as transparent as possible by including the VOC levels of all our products in their respective Technical Data Sheets (TDS). Some of our paints with zero VOC include:
Eco Spec® Interior Paint - our greenest paint, and the only paint in Singapore certified Asthma and Allergy Friendly
Ultra Spec® 500 Interior Paint - yes, even our commercial paints are zero VOC!
What does Zero Emissions mean?
The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has determined that an emission-free paint claim can be substantiated by, among other things, evidence demonstrating the paint has trace levels of emissions 6 hours or less after application (and thereafter), and contains no substance that could cause material harm to the health of the average adult under normal anticipated use.
Trace levels of emissions refer to:
A VOC has not been intentionally added to the covered product;
Emission of the covered product does not cause material harm that consumers typically associate with emission, including harm to the environment or human health; and
Emission of the covered product does not result in more than harmless concentrations of any compound higher than would be found under normal conditions in the typical residential home without interior architectural coating.
Independently certified asthma and allergy friendly by the AAFA, Eco Spec® is our “greenest” interior premium paint. With zero VOCs and zero emissions, Eco Spec® is the perfect choice when an environmentally responsible paint is required.
