Big Green: "Green" Paint (and stains)

[Dean Sherwin]

Andrew
I was aware that VOC is not the only health criterion with 
paints;  historically its the simplest one for "green" practitioners 
to use, & I guess air pollutants, more specifically smog-creating 
ones, were first out of the gate in published ratings.  Before 
choosing a paint I looked at the MSDA  (Material Safety Data Sheets 
), not that I am in any way equipped as an industrial chemist.  Are 
the ingredients that are of concern including the ones you mentioned, 
going to be listed there?   any easy way we can make a judgement 
between different formulations of paint?

Dean Sherwin


At 10:58 AM 5/29/2008, Andrew Pace, CSI wrote:

>While I agree that there are great benefits to promoting recycled 
>paints, I am curious to know why the subject of whether or not a 
>paint is considered 'green' always has to start and stop with the 
>VOC content.  There are literally dozens of other ingredients in 
>latex paint that are just as, or even more harmful to humans than 
>propylene or ethylene glycol (the typical VOC's in water based 
>paint).  Ammonia, butyl acetate, silica, formaldehyde donors, 
>biocides and many more HAP's that are either not classified or are 
>exempt from the EPA regulations.  VOC's are not regulated because of 
>their direct effect on humans.  They are specifically regulated 
>because of the possibility that they could create outdoor air 
>pollution.  So, shouldn't we be MORE concerned about human health?
>
>
>Andrew Pace
><Http://www.degreeofgreen.com>Http://www.degreeofgreen.com
>
>
>
>
>On 5/29/08 9:19 AM, "Lance Fletcher" <lfletcher at rcn.com> wrote:
>
>For anyone interested in recycled paints, here is an excerpt from a 
>paint listserv maintained by the Product Stewardship Instititute 
>(see below for contacts).
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Sierra Fletcher <mailto:sierra at productstewardship.us>
>To: lfletcher at rcn.com
>Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:59 PM
>Subject: FW: Green Seal and "Green" Paint (and stains)
>
>_______________________________________________________________
>This green building dialogue is provided as a public service
>by Drew George, along with Environmental Building News
>http://www.buildinggreen.com. For instructions see 
>http://www.biggreen.org/discussion.html
>_______________________________________________________________
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