Low and No VOC paints

Low-VOC and No-VOC Paints
By Lisa J. Chadderdon
If you’re thinking about doing some painting in your house, and are concerned about the toxic VOCs (Volatile Organic Chemicals) in conventional paints, we’ve got some alternatives to consider. Today, some paint manufacturers use techniques that produce paint containing many fewer VOCs than conventional paints. These paints release significantly fewer polluting toxins, and no-VOC paints are odor free (most low-VOC paints will produce a slight odor).
Low and No-VOCs paint can be applied in exactly the same way as conventional, high-VOC paints. In general, low-VOC paints are comparable in price to conventional paints; no-VOC paint tends to be slightly more expensive. Additionally, low-VOC and no-VOC paints aren’t considered hazardous waste materials, so disposal is much easier than with standard paints.
One difference that you may discover is that very low-VOC and no-VOC paints are not available in very dark or intense colors. If you need to use dark colors, you’ll have to look to the “low-VOC” paints with the highest amount of VOCs.
The amount of VOCs in “low-VOC” paint can vary widely, so it’s a good idea to read the label carefully. In general, if you use paint with a VOC level of less than 10 mg/liter, you’re doing pretty well. Read the labels carefully – paints with much higher levels of VOCs than that can legally be called “low-VOC” paint.
Here’s a list of companies that produce or sell low-VOC and no-VOC paints, along with links to additional information about each product.

Low- and No-VOC Paints

AFM (American Formulating and Manufacturing) http://www.afmsafecoat.com/
Benjamin Moore & Co. (Pristine® Eco-Spec® ) http://www.benjaminmoore.com/
BioShield Paints http://www.bioshieldpaint.com/
Devoe Paint http://www.devoe.com/
Duron Paints and Wallcoverings (Genesis Odor-Free products) http://www.duron.com/
Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/
ICI Dulux Paints http://www.iciduluxpaints.com/
Kelly Moore http://www.kellymoore.com/
Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company http://www.milkpaint.com/
Sherwin-Williams (HealthSpec® paints) http://www.sherwin.com/

*I am going shopping for some today for the new house. I had some hesitation because in No VOC paints, the colors are a bit muted and not very dark (VOC's are what makes paint darker). However, at the suggestion of a friend, I will be trying Benjamin Moore- she said that they have darker colors and larger paint chips to try out the colors first. Wish me luck!