Taiga Company

Looking to freshen-up a living space? Moving into a new office?  Whatever the reason for picking up the brush, those living a sustainable lifestyle will be looking to eco friendly options to maintain or improve indoor air quality.    
 
As explained in our eco friendly training, traditional paints are associated with off-gassing.  Off-gassing is the process by which chemicals in paint (and other products, including carpeting, flooring, and insulation) evaporate into the air.  These chemicals are known as volatile organic compounds or VOCs.  VOCs have been attributed to headaches; eyes, nose, throat irritation; and damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. 
 
As a result of growing eco awareness and consumer demand, today, all the major manufacturers offer at least one low-VOC product.   As a green living consultant, I've personally used low-VOC paints and have experienced the benefits.
 

• Contribute to improved indoor air quality.
• Durable.
• Cost effective.
• Perform equally as well as traditional counterparts.
• Low impact on the environment.

 
The US Environmental Protection Agency governs requirements for paints labeled as low-VOC.   An important distinction to note: the EPA rules for low-VOC apply only to the tint base.  Keep in mind, when you pick a color and your paint is tinted, the store will add pigment to your paint. This pigment contains VOC.  A good rule of thumb is the lighter the color- the less pigment.  Deeper colors such as reds and browns especially use a significant amount on pigment.
 
Although there are several environmentally friendly paint options available, following are suggestions made in our sustainable living consulting practice.

•  GreenPlanetPaints
• Milk Paint
• BioShield Paint
• Visions Recycling Paints
• Freshaire Choice
• Mythic Paint
• AFM Safecoat
• Ecos Organic Paints
• Benjamin Moore Natura line
• Sherwin Williams Harmony line
• Devoe Paint
• Duron Paints and Wallcoverings (Genesis Odor-Free products)
• ICI Dulux Paints
• Kelly Moore

 
If in doubt about your paint selection, you can take further eco action to determine if your paint selection is green by visiting one of the following sites.
 

• GreenSeal
• GreenGuard Environmental Institute 
• GreenWise
• Master Painters Institute

 
Your paint job won't be complete without embracing a few more sustainability concepts. 
Remember to reduce waste by purchasing only what you need.  Many of the websites offer online calculator tools to help you estimate your needs.   Also, decorate your newly painted room with plants to further help improve indoor air quality.