Ask Annie: What is the Safest Paint?

When spring is in the air there is a home-owner instinct to dust off the ol’ paint brushes, buy some paint, and brighten the walls. It is also the time of year I am most frequently asked questions about which paints I think are the safest. Here are my answers, and I hope you enjoy healthy painting. I think I might do some myself!

The Safest Natural Paint
The safest paint of all is milk paint or whitewash. The ingredients in milk paint are the milk protein casein and lime, and in whitewash the ingredients are lime and water (and sometimes casein). Natural earth pigments are used for coloring.

Besides the lack of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), milk paint and white wash are free of biocides and fungicides for killing mold. Both of the paints allow the material being painted to breathe, thereby reducing the growth of mold and mildew.

A good source of milk paint is the Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company.

Plant-Based Paints
Plant-oil paints are very high in plant terpene VOCs such as balsam and citrus, and can be very problematic for those sensitive or who have asthma. It can take months if not years for the smell to lift.

The Safest Latex/Enamel Synthetic Paints
The safest synthetic paint is zero VOC with no vinyl, fungicides and biocides. The term “latex” for paint does not mean the latex from the rubber tree. For paint it means water-based and a number of different synthetic polymers including acrylic, vinyl acrylic, and vinyl styrene. Vinyl is very important to avoid, it is a powerful endocrine disrupter and suspected carcinogen.

The higher the acrylic content the less acrylic vinyl and vinyl styrene. Look for 100% acrylic binders. As a rule, the higher the acrylic binder content the more expensive. Vinyl paints are known to be less expensive.

Caution is warranted when buying latex/acrylic paint. Just asking for “latex” paint won’t necessarily protect you! I saw a “latex” paint for sale the other day , an acrylic latex enamel, that included the warning label “This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.” (The product contained ethylene glycol and crystaline silica. Ethylene glycol is an alcohol and commonly known as antifreeze. Vinyl is a derivative of ethylene.)

The key words to use when buying are “zero VOC.”

The Safest Fungicides and Biocides
Look for paints that are made with zinc oxide as the fungicide.

The Best Compromise If In a Rush
Often we decide to buy paint and start painting on the same day, and unless one lives in a big metropolitan area where specialty eco-friendly paints are readily available, one needs to go with what is available. In these circumstances buy zero VOC paint.

Recycled Paints
I don’t recommend recycled paints because old paints can be high in VOCs and even contain heavy metals.

Paints to Avoid
Avoid oil-based paints and aerosol spray paints; they are very high in VOCs, and the odors can linger for months.

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

4:17PM PST on Nov 18, 2011

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Amber L.

6:58PM PDT on Sep 24, 2010

I love using Genuine Old Fashioned Milk Paint. It has a wonderful texture and feel and can be mixed to any consistency depending on your desired look. *Tip* you can find it at www.mistermilkpaint.com at discounted prices. I was able to experiment with it on numerous wood projects and was always pleased with the results.

Natalia F.

2:32PM PDT on Sep 10, 2010

gd to know

Dwayne S.

2:14PM PDT on Oct 30, 2009

There is another milk paint company www.realmilkpaint.com They have over 27 ready made colors . The beauty of their paint is that it will last several weeks after it is mixed , just like milk in your fridg. The color are very fresco both vibrant and reflective . They also offer a host of other natural products . Pure Tung Oil , Citrus Solvent , SoapStone Sealer and Wood Wax . Some Great stuff from a small company and super fast shipping . They may also have a distributor in your area . Check their site .

Past Member .

1:25AM PDT on Jun 19, 2009

thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner,Prefabrik
mega kabin
Konteyner

Trish L.

8:45PM PDT on Apr 10, 2008

Natural Clay Paints are wonderfull..try them at greenplanetpaints.com

Paul F.

6:06AM PDT on Apr 10, 2008

What about colour TINTING?
My understanding is that paint labeled as zero VOC may not be zero VOC anymore after we add manual tinting in the store.

Penny P.

8:43PM PDT on Apr 9, 2008

Sherwin Williams has a zero VOC paint called Harmony. WE did out bathroom with it and it didn't give me a headache. Although I didn't the acrylic/vinyl content, I was just pleased to find a zero VOC paint in my town, with many color choices.

Margo B.

2:38PM PDT on Apr 9, 2008

i have been an oil painter for 20 years, & oil paintings are the
most beautiful & artistic of all paints. thank you for the info on
the website, Laurella. It will be most helpful. Peace & love

Ben K.

1:54PM PDT on Apr 9, 2008

I manage a green home store in Santa Cruz CA, (www.greenspacecompany.com) and we sell a wide variety of zero VOC paints, both interior and exterior. Besides milk paints, check out clay paints by bioshield www.bioshiedpaint.com, composed of water, chalk, alcohol, cellulose and natural mineral pigments.. For zero voc latex/acrylic paints be sure that companies are using zero VOC tints/colorants.. most peole are unaware that a vast majority of the vocs are in the colors themselves, so deeper richer colors have more outgassing than whites and pastels. A customer came in with a martha stewart paint, and the initial VOC level before tinting/pigment was much lower than many low-voc products claim to be! Check out yolo colorhouse and american pride paints for two great brands zero-voc latex brands... Also there are other chemicals, such as ethelyne glycol, which are not VOCS but still offgass and are definetly toxic. Both the above mentioned brands are e. glycol free. I also sell Green Planet in my store, which is a soy resin paint that is zero voc. Keep in mind that the trade off between natural clay or milk paints vs water based latex is durability. Clay paints and soy paints are generally poor choices for trim or where washability is concerned. Milk paints for trim work well, but lack the glossiness that people like in their trim, adding clear coats such as polyurethanes for protection and glossiness is an option, but runs counter to using natural paints...