What are VOC's?

Baby Safe Finishes has responded to a demand for a paint line that is environmentally responsible. We researched and developed just that, a specialty paint that has No VOCs; "VOC" stands for "Volatile Organic Compounds". Research has shown that indoor air is a leading health risk. This is partially due to the paints, varnishes, and solvents we use that contain high VOCs.

What is a VOC?  VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound.  They are the solvents used in regular paint and act as the “carrier” for the paint pigment.  When paint dries, the odor left is from the evaporation of VOC’s in the solvent and the pigment used for tinting.  Some of these solvents include formaldehyde, benzene, lead, cadmium, chromium, diethyl phthalate and dibutyl.  Although much effort has been made to reduce these solvents in recent years, they are still found in most paints.  Oil based paint has the highest level of VOC’s.
     Consider the health effects of VOC’s.  Exposure can trigger asthma attacks, create throat and eye irritation, respiratory problems, nausea and headaches.  Long term exposure can lead to cancer and kidney and liver diseases.
 Research has shown that indoor air is a leading health risk.  This is partially due to the paints, varnishes and solvents we use that contain high VOC’s.
     The EPA states that "VOC's include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOC's are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.  VOC's are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands, including paints and lacquers.
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes..."
 "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, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. Additional TEAM studies indicate that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed."

For more information on the EPA's findings and to find the information
quoted above, please visit the EPA at http://www.epa.gov/.