Whether your baby is here or on the way, air quality is crucial to the health and well-being of you and your child. That perfect pink or blue will look great on the new nursery walls, but a fresh paint job can definitely be a mixed blessing. Even when the windows are wide open, the smell of paint can linger for months, leaving you wondering about the air quality of your home.
Traditional paints contain VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
While the paint fumes are hard enough to handle, the poison in the fumes is highly toxic.
Even paint that has been hugging the walls for years may still be giving off harmful VOCs, and simply concealing the paint with another water-based or low-VOC paint may not seal off the toxic chemicals from entering your home.
How do we combat these chemicals?
- Paint over it: How long paint releases VOCs depends on the type of paint, the surface being painted, and the climate. However, if your previous paint job is more than 5 years old, you may simply choose to paint over it with a water-based or low-VOC paint such as Mythic Paint.
- Remove Old Paint: Eliminate the source completely by sanding or stripping away old paint. CAUTION: Original paint in your home may be lead-based or the surface may be particle board and other materials that give off other hazardous chemicals. Consider hiring a contractor to strip away old paint.
- Use a Sealing Primer: Paint the surface with a non-toxic sealing primer such as ASM Safecoat Hard Seal or Safe Seal. These products are very effective in blocking VOCs.
By using one or more of these painting techniques, VOCs in your home will decrease dramatically, making overall air quality better for you and your little one.
