One Way Paint & Design is pleased to recommend and offer Green Seal GS-11 certified paints as an alternative choice to traditional paints!
Green Seal (www.greanseal.org) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding the environment and transforming the marketplace by promoting the manufacture, purchase and use of environmentally responsible products and services. A revised edition of GS-11, Green Seal's Environmental Standards for Paints and Coatings, was released on May 12, 2008.
Traditional interior and household paints contain many chemicals including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of these harmful chemicals including benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene, have been linked in scientific studies to bad health outcomes, including eye, nose and throat irritation, nausea, headaches, and even cancer.
Because VOCs are volatile, they can “off-gas” from the walls into the air as the paint is applied or as it dries. This can cause people living or spending time in these freshly painted homes (or businesses) to have exposures to VOCs that are much greater than normal – as much as 1000 times greater. These potentially large exposures – and resulting smells, headaches, and other potential health effects -- cause many consumers and businesses to look for lower VOC or chemical-free paints.
There are several types of lower VOC or no VOC paints, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. These low and no VOC paints work well, with studies showing that they work as well as or better than a conventional latex paint. Care should be taken in selecting low VOC or no VOC paints as some claim environmental responsibility and safety yet fail to meet Green Seal standards.
With so many factors influencing our good health and the safety of our environment it makes sense to choose a responsible paint. One Way Paint & Design will coordinate with you in choosing the safest paints when designing the new look you desire.
