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Color Their World - the Eco-Friendly Way

We ask a lot from paint. It has to flow smoothly, cover well, dry efficiently, look good, wipe clean, and resist mold and mildew. The substances that have helped paint do these things well add up to a long list of chemicals and other toxins, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that continue to offgas long after your nose stops noticing. But with encouragement from concerned consumers and government regulations, companies have started figuring out how to produce paints that get the job done without fuming us out of the house.

Low- and no-VOC paints
Oil-based paint is the biggest VOC culprit, so even for woodwork and trim, opt for latex instead-the newer low-VOC latex versions, which contain less smelly solvent than did the old ones, are capable of providing a hard, enamel-like coat, cost around the same as regular paint, and come in a full range of colors. Higher still on the eco-scale and as much as double the price are zero-VOC paints-somewhat of a misnomer if you add pigment in the paint store, which introduces VOCs. If you want to keep those compounds to a minimum, go for the lighter shades.

The greening Choosing paints with low or no VOCs helps reduce contaminants in the atmosphere, as well as in our landfills. You can also help by disposing carefully of that not-quite-empty can: Find out about hazardous waste pickup or drop-off in your area.

Look for the Green Seal stamp on the side of the can. This voluntary certification program has established a standard of 50 grams per liter for flat paint or 150 grams for oils. Green Seal calls paint zero-VOC when it contains under 5 grams per liter. For nontoxic, washable interior paints that spread, check out Yolo Colorhouse's Little Yolo.


Ceramic paint
Technically a low-VOC variant, ceramic paint is the latest development on the less-toxic scene, and it's great for kids' rooms. It's made by suspending minuscule ceramic beads in a latex base, giving the paint a hard, scrubbable, and almost impenetrable surface. Hand prints and crayon scribbles? No problem.

The greening These paints are amazingly durable-and the less often you have to repaint, the fewer vapors end up in the environment.

Look for paints that contain no chemical preservatives-the tough ceramic paint surface is naturally resistant to mold and mildew. O'Leary's Ceramic Coat has received good reviews but contains antimicrobials; Hy-Tech makes an unadulterated ceramic additive that you mix into your paint. Both also act to insulate against cold and heat.


Organic paints
Organics are the Earth Mamas of paints: They're made with substances like milk protein (a great match for fat-cheeked babies!), lime, beeswax, and natural oils, instead of from petrochemicals, and are free not only of VOCs but also of other chemicals, including those that contribute to good flow and coverage-which is why most organic paints don't perform the way conventional ones do. (Expect some progress on this front in the near future.) Neither will you find a bubblegum pink or lime green among them, since they're pigmented with pure mineral dyes (of course, some natural pigments are toxic, too-remember lead?). Still, if you're going for a vintage-style nursery or a bent-ply mod look and don't mind the higher price tag (up to $40 per gallon), you can't get much healthier than these paints. For a range, check out BioShield; the company also makes a Kinder Paints line, designed with children's rooms in mind.

The greening The organic-paint manufacturing process, besides being petrochemical-free, is also typically is low-waste and uses energy-efficient machinery. Some companies, such as Livos, take the extra step of recycling the water that's used to make the paint.

Look for the content label: It should list no preservatives, fungicides, or bactericides.

Recycled paint
Working with a small paint budget but still want to help the environment? Think about using inexpensive recycled latex. Manufacturers reprocess leftover product, filtering it and usually blending it with new paint-anywhere from 20 to 80 percent-to make a range of colors. The greater the balance of new to recycled, the purer the colors you'll get and the whiter the whites. Just remember, it's not a low-VOC product.

The greening Some municipalities have established recycling centers for household paint, or are in the process of doing so. Check locally, also, for companies that recycle paint and accept drop-offs.

Look for the recently introduced Green Seal stamp for recycled paint. Certified products in this category meet requirements for environmentally sound manufacturing processes, but not for VOCs. Since most recycled paint is sold in the same area where it is produced, check for availability at your local paint store.


Wallpaper
Paper, vinyl, ink, and adhesive-it's not a recipe for environmental health. Among the issues are toxic-ink discharge and waste disposal, along with VOCs emitted by the wallpaper paste. Still, if you're into pattern (and want to indulge your baby's fascination with it) or need to hide an ugly surface, you'll be glad to know that things are changing in the world of wall coverings.

The greening The wallpaper industry has reduced the amount of solvents in its products, and a new low-VOC paste is available. Some manufacturers are using recycled paper (and even recycled pantyhose), and Inhabit is making playfully embossed self-adhesive wall flats out of bamboo pulp-a renewable resource. You can also try a cool alternative to papering: stylish, peel-and-stick wall decal kits, from whimsical giraffes to abstract graphics, which you can arrange however you like (from blik and WallCandy Arts). The decals are made of vinyl-not an especially environmentally friendly product-but they let you economize on materials and avoid paste altogether, so consider them "greenish." Another option: Use low-VOC chalkboard paint to make a large blank canvas on your kid's wall and let him or her get to work with colored chalk.

Look for fun, playful products designed for adults, since kiddie wallpapers are less likely to be green-or as cool-looking.

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