In 2021 most interior paints contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are low or no odor. Everyone can easily understand why we would want a low odor paint, but to understand why we care about low to no VOC levels you need to know what VOCs are.
VOCs Are Bad For The Planet
VOCs are solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. Other products such as adhesives, cleaning supplies, and even some home furnishings emit solvents. VOCs can cause acute symptoms, including headaches and dizziness.
In fact, paint can release VOCs into the air for years following the initial painting, putting your family at risk. VOCs are dangerous for a couple of reasons. First, many VOCs are known carcinogens. For those of you who do not know, a carcinogen is something that begins the formation of cancer cells in the body. A common example of a carcinogen would be Agent Orange. Many of our troops from the Vietnam War were exposed to this carcinogen and many have developed lung cancer. It is important to use materials in your home or businesses that do not contain VOCs in order to protect you and those around you from harmful carcinogens.

Have you ever developed a headache while painting or being exposed to freshly painted walls? If you answered, “Yes,” then that paint most likely contained VOCs. VOCs are the components of paint that cause you to develop a headache after painting. We have now determined that VOCs are detrimental to your health, but is it safe to use paints or materials that contain VOCs if the project is outdoors or in a well ventilated space?
VOCs Are Also Bad For The Planet
VOCs play a significant role in the formation of ozone and fine particulates in the atmosphere. The accumulation of ozone, fine particulates, and other gaseous pollutants results in smog that reduces visibility. A consequence of the uncontrolled emission of VOCs, in general, and solvents, in particular, is that they may act as greenhouse gases and hence there may be climate change consequences. Although, using VOCs outdoors may not pose an immediate health risk to you, it is still extremely harmful for the environment, which will ultimately affect you.

So, there are many reasons we use paints that do not contain VOCs. Unless what we are doing is a special situation we will use zero VOC paint on all interior projects and most exterior projects. We make it a point to inform clients when those rare situations arise where a zero VOC option is not available. The decision is ultimately our customer’s choice, once we explain the situation. We let them decide if they want to proceed before we apply anything with VOCs.