Supplement: Paints and Coatings without Taint
Over the past five years more people have become environmentally conscious and aware of the need to minimise environmental degradation which is on the rise due to technological advancement and the resultant waste that is Most paints include chemicals and compounds that are harmful to the environment and people. Even "latex" paint, which is considered a safe alternative to ordinary paints and coatings by most experts, contains some harmful compounds.
All paints have three major components: a pigment for colour and hiding powder; a binder that holds the pigment to the surface; and a carrier to maintain the pigment and binder in liquid form. Often, chemicals such as petrochemicals, solvents, mercury, formaldehyde, and benzene are utilisied in the manufacturing process. Additionally, lead, cadmium and chromium can often be found in pigments. That distinctive smell of paint is actually dibutyl and diethyl phthalate - two very volatile compounds.
This chemical concoction releases VOCs into the air we breathe. VOCs are a class of carbon based chemicals that have the capacity to rapidly evaporate. Once airborne, many VOCs have the ability to combine with each other, or with other molecules in the air to create new chemical compounds. Some are of natural origin and are relatively benign. For example, a freshly cut orange releases VOCs. Usually, however, when the term VOC is used in conjunction with indoor air quality, it generally refers to VOCs derived from manufactured products, such as the common solvents toluene, xylene and lacquer thinner. VOCs can cause a number of ailments such as eye and skin irritation, lung and breathing problems, headaches, nausea, muscle weakness, as well as liver and kidney damage. VOCs are consistently ten times higher indoors than outdoors, with numbers rising to 1,000 times higher after a new coat of paint. VOCs released into the atmosphere produce ground level ozone. According to EPA, nine percent of the airborne pollutants creating ground level ozone come from the VOCs in paint.
Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air and according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US, paints and coatings are among the leading causes of indoor air pollution. Paints and coatings release low levels of toxic emissions into the air for years after application. The source of these toxins is a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, until recently, were an integral part of the quality of paints. Last year (February 2009) we looked at the pressure on manufacturers to develop safer paints and coating. This year we look at manufacturers of eco-friendly paints and coatings, their products and a brief market view of the Southern Africa states.
Fortunately, there is something that can be done to avoid pollution and unsafe living spaces. It is still possible to have beautiful, colourful walls without the risk of poisoning by using "non toxic" paint, also referred to as "low or no VOC" paint.
Large paint companies such as the Real Milk Company, American Formulating and Manufacturing (AFM) Safecoat, Devoe, Benjamin Moore all found in Europe, and Plascon in South Africa; have boarded the environmental bandwagon and now offer zero-VOC, low-VOC or odour free paints. While these paints are certainly a step in the right direction, it is virtually impossible for paints to be free of VOCs. These large paint companies still utilise colourants with some solvents. Some paint companies however offer broader colour selections that are low or zero VOC. AFM, for instance, has developed a line of paints that is formaldehyde free, emit minimal VOCs (mostly naturally occurring), and contain additional sealing properties that reduce out gassing.
Non-Toxic Paints and Coatings
Here are three general categories of non-toxic (or low-toxic) paints: natural paints, zero VOC, and low VOC.
1. Natural Paints and Coatings
These are paints made from natural raw ingredients such as water, plant oils and resins, plant dyes and essential oils; 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. Allergies and sensitivities to these paints are rare. Natural paints and coatings are safe for the environment and health.
The Real Milk Paint
A natural paint, milk paint is an environmentally friendly paint that is ideal for antique furniture, decks, floors and walls. The painter mixes the milk paint with pigment powders to create just about any colour imaginable. Manufacturers of milk paint, The Real Milk Paint Company also offer milk paint removers, oil, citrus solvent (a natural replacement for mineral spirits and paint thinner), and a host of other earth friendly products. (www.realmilkpaint.com)
Super eco emulsion
Super eco emulsion paint is manufactured from naturally sourced raw materials including oils, herbs and minerals. Manufactured by the Nutshell Company, the approach adopted is radical as it takes a holistic view of all the issues involved in sourcing materials, manufacture, application and disposal. Super eco emulsion revolutionises environmentally friendly paints. The product is white, non-drip, easy to apply and easily wipeable .It can be used on walls as well as ceilings with minimum amount of fuss or splashes .It is micro porous, biodegradable and virtually odour free and can be tinted with Nutshell Earth and Mineral Pigments.
Plascon Polvin
Plascon South Africa’s natural coating; Plascon Polvin is a superior quality acrylic coating for interior and exterior use. The easy to clean, smooth matt is highly durable with excellent scrub ability. The UV resistant pigments ensure that colours do not fade. The superior obliteration and excellent spread ability makes Polvin economical and easy to apply. Their premium textured wall coating is also designed to look like brushed suede as it absorbs and reflects light, enhancing the rich and textured faux suede finish. It is a water based coating thus dries quickly.
2. Zero VOC
According to the EPA, any paint and or coating with VOCs in the range of 5 grams/litres or less can be called "Zero VOC". Adding a colour tint usually brings the VOC level up to 10 grams/litres, which is still quite low.
Safecoat Transitional Primer
Manufactured by AFM Safecoat Paints, the primer is a premium quality, water based, flat finish. It is formulated to solve difficult application problems without the use of toxic and scented chemicals. It has an extremely tight and efficient polymer network, especially when properly applied to oil based painted surfaces. (www.afmsafecoat.com)
Devoe Regency Interior Eggshell
Devoe eco friendly product the Devoe Regency Interior Eggshell ranks as their finest quality eggshell acrylic wall and trim enamel. Specially formulated to provide excellent coverage and application properties, Regency Interior Eggshell enamel is washable and scrubbable and has very good block resistance providing a highly durable finish. Another product, the Devoe® Regency® Interior Semi-gloss acrylic wall and trim coating specially provides excellent adhesion, moisture resistance, coverage and application properties. (www.devoe.com)
Low VOC
Low VOC paints, stains and varnishes use water as a carrier instead of petroleum-based solvents. As such, the levels of harmful emissions are lower than solvent-borne surface coatings. These certified coatings also contain no, or very low levels, of heavy metals and formaldehyde. The amount of VOCs varies among different "low-VOC" products, and is listed on the paint can. So as to conform to the EPA standards, paints and stains must not contain VOCs in excess of 200 grams per litre. Coatings must not contain VOCs in excess of 300 grams per liter. As a general rule, low VOC paints marketed by reputable paint manufacturers usually meet the 50 g/L VOC threshold. Paints with the Green Seal Standard (GS-11) mark are certified lower than 50 g/L (for flat sheen) or 150 g/L (for non-flat sheen).Low VOC paints however still emit an odour until dry.
Green Promise Paints
Green Promise paints a product by Benjamin Moore® offer low total volatile compounds at a premium level of paint performance. They are environmentally friendly coatings meeting and exceeding the strictest industry standards, while also delivering the premium levels of performance expected.
Aura® Interior Waterborne Paint
Aura Interior paint is Benjamin Moore’s best interior coating and is, quite simply the finest paint they have ever made. With their proprietary Colour Lock® Technology, Aura Interior paint delivers remarkable durability and exceptional colour with hues that are richer, truer and retain their colour integrity even after repeated washings. Aura interior paint is washable in any sheen, so one can use the sheen of their choice in any room.
Forging close links with Southern African States
Mike Hayes chairman of the South African Paint Manufacturer's Association (SAPMA) reveals that the paint and coatings industries and in particular the non toxic industry in the Southern African states of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho and Zambia are closely linked to that of the regional economic giant South Africa, in that the major manufacturing plants are located in the industrialised area of the country.
SAPMA notes there is no other paint manufacturers' association in the region or a pan-regional organisation catering for the “green” needs of the local manufacturers, probably due to the limited size of these individual markets. He notes that while these regional manufacturers may have no organised representation, there is pressure for them to follow the guidelines offered by international paint and coatings industries, where skills and technology permit.
Regional strategy
Plascon, which commands an estimated 90% of the South African residential market, has developed a coherent regional strategy and has been steadily making its presence felt in neighbouring markets. Since 1998, the company has established facilities in Namibia, Botswana and Zambia; working closely with retailers and industrial contractors in these countries.
Crispin Ng'oma, the Managing Director at Plascon says that the company has sought to penetrate new markets through partnerships to foster the eco-friendly development of local entrepreneurs and allowing these markets access to modern paint technologies.
List of Contributors
1.South African Paint Manufacturers Association (SAPMA).
Sarah Laybourne
+27114552503
www.sapma.org.za
sapma@sapma.org.za
2. Benjamin Moore & company
Eileen McComb
info@benjaminmoore.ca
www.benjaminmoore.com
3. Nutshell Natural paints
Kirstie Champions
enquiries@nutshellpaints.co.uk
www.nutshellpaints.com
4.Plascon paints South Africa
Baron Schreuder
advice@plascon.co.za
www.plascon.com
