We’ve discussed VOCs on this blog in the past, but it’s time to go a bit more in-depth. There are more than 10,000 chemicals that can be used in normal paints. About 300 of these are toxins and 150 are known carcinogens. Enter VOCs, one of the main contaminants of indoor air quality.
VOCs are chemicals that turn into breathable gases at room temperature and can contain benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, mercury, and many other harmful chemicals. In the United States, after automobiles, paint-related products are the second-largest source of VOC emissions. Ever get a whiff of a fresh coat of paint? The smell of a fresh coat of paint is actually the smell of VOCs!
In the past, one of the issues slowing the widespread use of paints with low or no VOCs was that it was difficult to create different colors and hues. The chemicals used to create different paint colors and tints are high in VOCs and as a result, the color options with low or no VOCs paint was limited. While this has changed with new ways to color paints without VOCs, it was an obstacle in the widespread adoption of paints without VOCs.
EonCoat, and other no VOCs paints, have no odor because of the lack of VOCs within the paint. Normal paint requires solvents to keep it in liquid form and to keep it from drying in the can. The problem with this approach is that most solvents are high in VOCs. By separating EonCoat’s two main components, we are able to avoid using VOCs at all. A two-component spray system is used to apply the paint. Mixing the two chemicals together at the last second negates the need for solvents and the dangers associated with VOCs.
Before your next indoor paint job consider the paint you’re using for the project. What levels of VOCs are present? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures VOCs in grams per liter. According to the EPA, paint is low in VOCs if there are less than 250 gm/l in latex paints and 380 gm/l in oil-based paints. Low VOC paints, like Olympic Premium Interior, are a step in the right direction but are still releasing harmful gases into the air you breathe.
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