1) if you paint when its too cold the paint get air bubbles trapped in it
We got some basic painting done with the use of some extra space heaters. Now that the warm weather is here, we're painting like crazy. As far as the euphoria & nausea created by fresh paint fumes, we had none because we discovered VOC free paint.
VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, a fancy term to describe chemicals that leak out of solids and liquids in the form of a gas. When you hear articles in the media about carpets or paints off-gassing, the VOC's are the primary culprits they are talking about. The most common places you find it in our home are in new wallcoverings, furniture such as matresses, carpeting and most predominately in your wall paint.
In extreme cases exposure to too many toxic VOC's can lead to symptoms such as sensory irritation of the eyes, nose, throat; neurotoxic or general health problems; skin irritation; nonspecific hypersensitivity reactions; and odor and taste sensations. This is known as sick building syndrome. People with allergy concerns, especially those suffering from asthma tend to be the most affected.
The way I see it, being surrounded by too many toxic chemicals is never a good thing so I choose to use VOC free paint. I 've tried several and Olympic brand is very inexpensive compared to its competition and i like the selection of colors too. It actually makes painting much more pleasant, there is no strong paint smell hanging in the air for days, actually not even while you're painting. You an start combating indoor air pollution by making sure there are plenty of nature's air filters, plants, in your home and good ventilation. You can also help reduce VOC's in your home with a few easy practices, courtesy of Gaiam. com:
Formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds are guests that have worn out their welcome.
Our
indoor environment is often far from pristine places. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) estimates people spend as much as 90 percent of
their time inside, mostly in their homes. You work hard to create a
sense of comfort and peace in your everyday spaces. Shouldn't you also
decorate with health and quality of life in mind?
Eliminating
the hazardous chemicals found in traditional household cleaners is a
great start. But you and your family may also be cozying up to hidden
toxins lurking on walls, under the couch cushions and beneath your feet.
These chemical concoctions off-gas for years into indoor air,
potentially impacting your long-term health.
1. Find Formaldehyde-Free Furniture
Most
people don't think of their furniture when assessing their indoor air
quality, but if yours is made from treated wood or particle board, it
probably contains formaldehyde, the same chemical used in funeral homes
as a preserving agent. A study by the California Environmental
Protection Agency says indoor levels of formaldehyde are typically
several times higher than outdoor levels.
Formaldehyde
was recently classified a human carcinogen by the International Agency
for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization. And
according to the American Lung Association, short-term effects of
exposure to formaldehyde vapors include eye, nose and throat irritation
as well as coughing, skin rashes, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting
and nosebleeds.
If you're planning to remodel your
kitchen, choose cabinets made from solid, untreated wood. And phase out
your particle-board furniture, such as shelving and office desks, with
pieces made of natural materials such as hardwood, rattan and iron.
2. Stop Sleeping with Chemicals
You've heard that you spend approximately a third of your life in bed. That's roughly 25 years in this one room in your house.
Most
mattresses contain considerable amounts of synthetic and chemical-based
foams, plastics and artificial fibers, and most box springs are made
with chemically treated wood and chemical adhesives. Next time you buy a
mattress consider one made from more health-conscious materials, such
as natural fibers and untreated wood. In the meantime, a mattress cover
made of barrier cloth can help isolate a chemical-laden mattress.
Also consider that most bed sheets are made from cotton, a crop that takes 25 percent of the world's pesticides to grow by today's common agricultural methods. And most conventional sheets have a formaldehyde-resin finish to make them "easy care" and/or water-resistant, and to reduce shrinkage. Use organic sheets made from natural fibers — organic cotton is readily available in a wide range of styles and colors from low-impact dyes.
Also consider that most bed sheets are made from cotton, a crop that takes 25 percent of the world's pesticides to grow by today's common agricultural methods. And most conventional sheets have a formaldehyde-resin finish to make them "easy care" and/or water-resistant, and to reduce shrinkage. Use organic sheets made from natural fibers — organic cotton is readily available in a wide range of styles and colors from low-impact dyes.
3. Change Your Paint Color Along with VOC Levels
You
know that new paint smell? It usually has something to do with the
chemicals added to paint to improve spreadability and durability. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
evaporate at room temperature and can damage the kidneys, liver and
central nervous system, according to the EPA. While the paint is drying,
VOC levels can be up to 1,000 times outdoor levels, and VOCs will
continue to off-gas at much lower levels after the paint dries.
When shopping for paint, look for one that contains VOC levels of 150 grams per liter or lower, advises Mother Earth News magazine. Or, better yet, choose from the growing selection of no-VOC paints.
4. Walk Away from Synthetic Carpets
VOCs
don't just come from your walls; they can also come from your
wall-to-wall carpeting. The American Lung Association says new carpet —
as well as the adhesives and padding used during installation — can be a
source of VOC emissions and act as a "sponge" for chemical and
biological pollutants. For example, pesticides used on lawns can be
tracked inside your home and remain inside the carpet fibers.
Leave
your shoes at the door and opt for natural flooring such as sustainably
harvested hardwood, bamboo, cork or tile, and no-emission carpeting of
natural fibers such as sisal or wool.
All of these
simple changes improve the quality of your indoor environment — as well
as the environment outside. Sustainably harvested natural materials are
gentler to the planet and can actually help promote healthier
ecosystems, so you'll help clean your surroundings outside your home,
too.
