Painting and health

The issues with conventional 'plastic' paint are as follows:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Normal 'plastic' paints give off a range of monomers (VOCs) when they dry. These are chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic and toxic, so no wonder many of us feel a bit queasy and light headed when we paint with them. Even water-based paints give off VOCs as they dry via a series of chemical reactions and evaporation, so don't be fooled into thinking that water based paints are totally inert. The VOC measurement that you see on paint labelling indicates how many chemicals will be given off. All of these VOCs are given off within the first month after application, so be aware that if you are painting a room that these fumes will be present for some time afterwards. This is especially important when decorating children's bedrooms as they absorb more toxins than adults due to the fact that they are growing.

Thankfully, there are some very high quality alternatives. Natural paints include ranges of clay paints, wood treatments and emulsions that are completely VOC free. These paints work in a different way to conventional ones. They dry by releasing water only, as the chemical reaction has already taken place in the production process, thus taking the chemicals out of the home or work environment.

This absence of monomers means that these paints are much safer and healthier to use, especially for people who suffer from migraines, asthma, breathing problems and allergies.

Moisture regulation

Most paints are non-breathable, this means that they act as an impenetrable layer that water vapour cannot pass through. This effectively seals moisture in or out of a room. This can lead to either an excess or an absence of moisture. This in turn affects those that suffer from asthma and other allergies.

Natural clay and emulsion paints are breathable and so let water vapour in and out of the walls, this then acts as a moisture regulator which helps your building maintain a steady and healthy moisture content.

Clay paints are particularly effective as they naturally absorb and release moisture. The hue of the paint will actually darken as it absorbs moisture and lighten again as it dries. This gives a room a feeling of being active and alive. This makes them particularly useful in bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchens where there is normally an excessive amount of water. This has the effect of reducing condensation risks in these areas. Claypaints, however, are cleaned in a different way (by using a rubber, rather than a damp cloth) this means that in high traffic areas it might be more sensible to use a natural emulsion paint that is wipe-able.