Low VOC interior paint: how to choose it and paint children's and patients' rooms safely

What are the volatile organic compounds in paint?

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are gases given off by certain solids and liquids, among them paints, varnishes, paint strippers and solvents. In paint they come from the solvents and some of the additives, and they evaporate during application and through the drying period; a share of them can keep escaping for some time afterwards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that levels of roughly ten common organic pollutants were found two to five times higher inside homes than outdoors, that exposure to these compounds can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and nausea, that some damage the liver, kidneys and nervous system, and that some are suspected of causing cancer. That is why low-emission paints are a sensible choice inside the home.

What does low VOC interior paint actually mean?

The phrase 'healthy paint' is not a standardised technical term. What is usually meant is a water-based interior paint designed to release a smaller quantity of volatile compounds, sometimes with extra features such as resistance to bacteria and fungi or the ability to absorb certain pollutants.

A Gulf-market example: Jotun Middle East describes its Lady Design Touch of Suede as a low VOC paint, with a spreading rate of about 11.8 square metres per litre, two coats and roughly 4 hours before recoating. It describes Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux as free of the usual paint smell, with a technology that absorbs formaldehyde to improve indoor air quality, according to the company's own description. These are illustrations of how manufacturers present the features, not a recommendation of any particular product.

How do you choose a low-emission interior paint?

Remember that the topcoat is not the only source. The solvents used for thinning or cleaning, solvent-based primers and the varnishes for doors and woodwork can emit far more than the paint itself. Ask the contractor about every material that will enter the room, not just the final coat.

How do you paint children's and patients' rooms safely?

Even with the best low VOC interior paint, the way the job is done decides a large part of the exposure. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends providing maximum ventilation while painting, buying only the amount you will use, not storing opened cans indoors because gases can escape even from closed containers, and following the label instructions carefully.

1. 1

   Plan the painting ahead of the date the room is needed

   Paint a child's or patient's room several days before it is needed, never the same night.

2. 2

   Move sensitive people out

   Pregnant women, infants, people with asthma and the elderly stay away from the room during painting and the drying period.

3. 3

   Ventilate continuously

   Open the windows and use a fan that pushes air outwards. In summer, paint in the early morning hours and ventilate before switching the air conditioning back on.

4. 4

   Close the central AC vents

   So that odour and dust do not travel to the rest of the house through the ducts.

5. 5

   Clean up and dispose of leftovers outside the home

   Seal the cans tightly and store them away from living areas, and dispose of leftovers according to local municipal instructions, not with household waste.

What about the dust when sanding old paint?

Emissions are not the only hazard; sanding old paint produces fine dust. In very old buildings some paint layers may contain lead, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that deteriorating old paint produces chips and dust that become hazardous when inhaled or swallowed. Keep children away from the sanding area, use wet sanding or tools fitted with dust extraction where possible, and clean up with damp wiping.

For more guidance on the safe handling of materials inside the home, see the health and safety page.

Are low-emission paints suitable for bathrooms and damp rooms?

Yes, if they are formulated to withstand humidity and washing. But no paint, however healthy, will prevent mould if the wall itself is damp. Mould inside a room affects air quality more than the emissions of a modern paint do, so treat the dampness first and choose the paint second. If the moisture comes from an internal leak, start with home maintenance or leak detection before painting.

Is low VOC paint lower in quality or durability?

That is an outdated belief. Modern water-based interior paints give good coverage and a washability suitable for most residential rooms, and the difference in performance comes from the quality of the binder and pigments, not from low emissions as such. Compare products on what the technical data sheet states: spreading rate, number of coats, washability and the drying time before recoating.

The place to be careful is corridors, kitchens and children's rooms that take scuffs and stains; there, pick a washable grade from the low-emission range instead of falling back on oil-based paint. For timber doors and ironwork, use water-based products made for them where available, or apply the solvent-based product with the room vacated and strong ventilation.

The paints and finishes team can propose a low-emission paint system for bedrooms and children's rooms and schedule the work so that the rooms are well ventilated before they are used again.