Non-Toxic Paint

Everywhere and all around us, we are surrounded by painted surfaces, including the walls of our homes, baseboards, and cabinets. The concept of non-toxic paint has gained popularity within the last thirty years, as people have become aware of the hazards of lead based paint through the tragic cases of lead poisoning among children. Though lead-based paints are no longer widely used, homes constructed before 1980 may have been painted with lead based paint. Before builders had any notion of the concept of non-toxic paint, lead-based paints were an industry standard. The owners of older homes must take great care in removing old paint, because the dust from lead based paint is dangerous. Many people purchase inexpensive kits to test for lead, so that the appropriate precautions can be taken in removing old paint, and repainting with non-toxic paint. It is interesting to note that while lead based paint has a long history of use and the idea of non-toxic paint is perceived to be a “new” concept, milk paint is a non-toxic paint has been used effectively for centuries.

Is conventional paint still dangerous?
The issue of lead was just the beginning of consumers realizing the dangers of conventional paint, and the demand for non-toxic paint choices continues to grow. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that indoor air is significantly more toxic than outdoor air. Toxins in paints and finishes are among the primary causes, because they continue to release toxic emissions into the air, at low levels, long after their initial application. Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC’s are the source of the toxicity in paint. Even Latex paint, which is considered relatively safe, is somewhat of a toxic paint. Using a true non-toxic paint like Real Milk Paint is the only way to completely avoid the poisons associated with paint.

The three basic elements in paint are the pigment, binder and an agent to combine the pigment and binder into a liquefied formula. In conventional paint formulas chemicals have been utilized to optimize these elements. While effective for those purposes, the same chemicals have proven to produce dangerous effects. Some of these chemicals include:

Ethylene glycol ethers
This group of chemicals is primarily used in paints and cleaning solvents. While some are only recommended for industrial use, others are widely used in consumer products. Short term exposure to high levels of these chemicals can lead to conditions such as pulmonary edema, narcosis, as well as liver and kidney damage. Real Milk Paint non-toxic paint excludes the use of ethylene glycol ethers.

Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of glues, and in a number of industries as a preservative. It is a pungent-smelling, colorless gas, which can cause burning in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing. Formaldehyde has also been demonstrated to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Real Milk Paint non-toxic paint does not contain formaldehyde.

Hydrochloric acid
Hydrogen chloride can be a colorless liquid with a strong odor, or a colorless to slightly yellow gas. It is used in the manufacture of pigments for paints. Exposure to hydrochloric acid may lead to circulatory collapse, which may cause death. It can also cause death by asphyxiation, respiratory illness, and a variety of other adverse affects. Real Milk Paint non-toxic paint precludes the use of hydrochloric acid.

Benzene
Benzene is an ingredient which is commonly added to paint to help it dry more quickly. It is an aromatic, colorless substance that evaporates quickly into the air. It is determined to be highly toxic when inhaled, and is known to cause cancer and leukemia. Benzene can also affect the central nervous system. Benzene is not found in Real Milk Paint non-toxic paint.

Toluene
Toluene is used in the production of paints, paint thinners, and lacquers. It is a sweet-smelling industrial solvent, created through petroleum refining. It is considered to be a dangerous neurotoxin, as well as a developmental toxin. If inhaled directly, it can affect and depress the nervous system. Real Milk Paint non-toxic paint is free of toluene.

While a concerted effort has been made on many fronts to curtail the use of these toxic ingredients in paint, the best way to avoid them completely is by using a true non-toxic paint such as Real Milk Paint.

Non-toxic paint advantages
Consumer awareness and new EPA regulations have driven the demand for a safe alternative, and led to the new and emerging market for non-toxic paint. The VOC producing chemicals, which were once thought to be necessary to the development of high performance paint, have been eliminated or greatly reduced in new low VOC or no VOC non-toxic paint varieties. This new, safer generation of non-toxic paint provides many benefits to the environment and to consumers.

• Non-Toxic Paint Means Simplified Clean Up and Disposal, with no Special Precautions Necessary
• Non-Toxic Paint Provides Reduction of Contaminants that affect the Ozone, Landfills, and Groundwater
• Non-Toxic Paint Offers Improved Performance of Low VOC Paint in Coverage and Wear
• Non-Toxic Paint Features Water-Based Formulas with Little or No Dangerous Fumes

Green paint is not always non-toxic paint
Environmental concerns are often discussed in combination with health concerns. It is important to note that these are not always the same issue. In the case of paint, some paints, which are considered environmentally friendly, may not be non-toxic. For example, recycled paint is a good choice for reducing waste that is harmful to the earth, but it is not necessarily non- toxic paint. It is important to carefully read labels, not just taglines. Real Milk Paint is both an environmentally friendly paint and a non-toxic paint!