Healthy Building
What are Healthy Building Materials?
- What does the term off-gassing refer to?
- Off-gassing refers to when a chemical substance & smell continuously emits over a period of time. This can affect some people’s health on a scale from headaches, rashes, constant mucus or a runny nose, asthma, allergies and/or nervous system disorders to such a serious degree that even cancer could possibly develop.
- VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) & Formaldehyde are the main toxic pollutants that can emit from certain building materials, furnishings as well as finishes. VOC’s (including formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and toluene) can be found in many household products, including paints, varnishes, paint stripping products, and adhesives.
- Why should I use non-toxic low-odour paints?
- Non-toxic low-odour paints ensure that you do not contaminate your indoor environment with VOC’s. If a paint, finish or lacquer products has VOC’s listed in the label, it will smell and likely affect your health. At the very least, look for products that say low VOC’s – you often can find them in your local hardware store for prices comparable to regular paint.
- The best paints to use are ones with ‘0’ VOC’s, such as Milk Paints, Bio Shield Paints, Green Seal Certified, or Farrow & Ball’s clay pigment paints. However, be aware that the colour range is not as bright or dark with more natural systems.
