STEPS TO ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE PAINTING | |
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| CONSIDER USING NATURAL PAINTS AND FINISHES | |
| Natural paints, made entirely of raw materials, provide a natural look and the feel of living materials with no health or environmental risks. Clay-based paints and primers have the durable, earthy glow of adobe, milk paints are an old-fashioned natural staple, and plant-based solvents and oil stains provide lasting protection without utilizing petroleum. These products may require additional care with surface preparation, application, and maintenance. View a complete selection of natural paints and finishes at www.bioshieldpaint.com | |
| READ PRODUCT LABELS FOR VOC AND SOLIDS CONTENT | |
| Look for VOC content. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are substances found to cause indoor and outdoor air pollution by the EPA. VOC content is listed in grams per liter ranging from 5 to 200-the lower the VOC content, the lower the odor and toxicity of the product during and after application. Flat paints will tend to have a lower VOC level-- the maximum acceptable VOC level for flat paints is 50 interior, 100 exterior; for gloss paints, it is 150 interior, 200 exterior. Also look for solids content; the higher the percentage of solids, or pigments, in a paint, the fewer VOCs are present. These solids can range in concentration from 25% to 45% by volume, and should be specified on the label. Be aware that products that have an EPA, OSHA, or DOT registration number contain toxic ingredients which must be monitored. | |
| CHECK FOR HEAVY METALS OR TOXIC INGREDIENTS | |
| Various compounds, besides those identified as VOCs by the EPA, can be replaced with less harmful alternatives without sacrificing the quality of the paint. A paint's ingredients can be checked through the product's safety data sheets. A list of prohibited heavy metals and toxic organic substances identified by Green Seal, an independent green product certifier, can be found on their Choose Green Report available online at www.GreenBiz.com. | |
| BE AWARE OF LEAD PAINT | |
| If you are working on a house built before 1970, work on the assumption that lead-based paint is present. Guidelines for working with old lead paint are available in a brochure published by the EPA, widely available at paint stores or through their website www.epa.gov/lead.com Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home and Keep It Clean. | |
| BUYING PAINT | |
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Buy the right amount of paint. Before buying paint, calculate the area to be painted (h x w= square footage). One gallon covers roughly 400 square feet, and many areas will need two coats. Store remaining paint for touch-up, labeled, above freezing temperatures.
Use water-based products. Latex, or water-based, paints are preferable to oil-based paints because they do not use solvents as a carrier and do not require the use of solvents for clean-up. | |
| SAFE PAINTING | |
| Allow air circulation. Circulate fresh air while painting to reduce the impact of indoor air pollutants. Spray painting should be avoided entirely. Cross-ventilation is particularly important when painting ceilings, since fumes rise as paint dries. | |
| DISPOSING OF PAINT | |
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Re-use thinners. When possible, use turpentine, made from the resin of coniferous trees, in place of paint thinner. Both products can be recycled-allow used turpentine or paint thinner to stand in a closed container until paint and contaminants settle to the bottom. Clear liquid on top can be poured off and re-used.
Avoid cleaning brushes and rollers. For an on-going project, paint brushes and rollers can be saved for up to a week without cleaning. Wrap these tools tightly in plastic bags, squeezing out air, and store away from light. Continue using the tool and wrapping it for up to a week for both latex and oil-based paints. Dispose of extra paint and solvents responsibly. Useable oil-based and latex paints and solvents can be donated to the Monroe County Recycling Center and re-used locally. If latex paint must be discarded, it can be allowed to dry and legally disposed of with regular trash; oil-based paints and solvents must be treated as hazardous waste. | |
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