Simple Tips for a Healthy Home – Low VOC Paint

Using low or zero Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) varieties when painting your house will allow everyone who lives in the home to breath easier, especially if you suffer from allergies, asthma, or chemical odor sensitivities. VOCs are chemical additives that had greatly helped regular paint to roll on smoothly, dry fast, and prevent mildew. VOCs are solvents and as the paint dries the solvents are released in the air.

The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that breathing the fumes of regular paints can cause a variety of symptoms including headache, wheezing, and dizziness (children appear to be the most vulnerable) and even cancer in lab animals (poor little animals!). Odors from the regular paint can linger for days and sometimes even weeks. If you can smell the paint, it might not be the best choice. If the paint is odorless, or smells like fresh milk then you probably have selected a good paint.

Zero VOC paints are always the best choice. With low VOC, choosing 50 grams or less per liter is recommended. Many places now give the consumer a good variety of colors to choose from. Some of the places to find the zero and low VOC paints in Hawaii include Sherwin Williams, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.

There are so many things you can do to help you and your family to live and breath healthier in your home. There are many simple steps you can take to improve your home. They can be as easy as changing your light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs, solar energy, energy star appliances, energy star ceiling fans, flooring, roofing, attic fans, even landscaping with drought tolerant plants, and planting trees for shade around the home. The list goes on and on.

Sustainable bamboo home

The most important factor is a healthier home contributes to a healthier family. Help reduce your carbon footprint one step at a time. When selling your home, making the property greener and more sustainable will usually make it more appealing, and can help bring the seller a higher dollar value.

I am a certified EcoBroker that can assist you in preparing and marketing a property with green features in Hawaii. Please contact me if you need further assistance.