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Read about us in the latest edition of Sanctuary Magazine! |
Need a Green Painter? click here! LOW VOC Synthetics Conventional paints can make the air you breathe a chemical cocktail, even long after they have dried, as they continue to release petroleum based solvents, called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as they cure. It is estimated that each year in Australia more than 80,000 tonnes of VOCs are released into the atmosphere, with the paint industry contributing significantly to this amount. Typical oil-based paint averages 350g/L VOCs, or between 35-50% of the paints volume. Even typical water-based acrylics still contain 3-7% solvent content. The VOC content of paint and the CO2 emitted during manufacture are key contributors to environmental impact - primarily in the form of air pollution (petrochemical smog) and to a lesser degree 'greenhouse gases'. In addition VOCs may also trigger respiratory reactions. Other chemicals in conventional water-borne paints often include glycols, petrochemicals, and ammonia.
Here is Australia there is now a range of 'zero' and ultra-low VOC paint products. They are manufactured using petro-chemicals, and by cross-linking molecular action, form a film of 'plastic' over the surfaces they cover. They are ideal for commercial applications, and offer excellent scrubbability. Below is a summary of what is available Wallpaint Comparison Table
[1] Included for comparison purposes only *Standard VOC Level for Green Star is 16g/L Enamel Comparison Table
*included for comparison purposes only *Standard VOC Level for Green Star is 75g/L |
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Most major paint manufacturers in Australia
still use tints that contain high levels of VOCS. Therefore, the GreenPainters advises consumers and specifiers to check what the VOC level is of
tinted paint they intend to use. Tinted paint, even of paints labelled
'low-voc', often contain VOC levels over the
