Zero VOC Paint

Today is another painting day in our kitchen.  The floors are being installed tomorrow and the risers on the stairs coming from the back door needed to be painted first. How did those get overlooked?!?  

It's like one of those M.C. Escher optical illusion pictures.

Anyway, I thought I should say something about VOCs.

What are VOCs, you ask?  The short answer is that volatile organic compounds are what make new paint smell.  Stinky things are usually high in VOCs. (A high "chemically" smell is often a good indication but not always.)  The problem with those smells is that they lead to potentially dangerous indoor air pollution.  

If you want to really delve in deep, here's a great article from the Minnesota Department of Health about VOCs.  It covers common types of VOCs (like formaldehyde), where they come from (couches, carpets, cosmetics, etc.), health effects (anything from headaches to cancer), and most importantly how to reduce our exposure (removal or containment) and more.  I think it's worth the read if you have a few minutes.

So like I mentioned before, we picked a (very affordable) paint with zero VOCs.

This is one of my favorite songs that talks about VOCs. Thanks, Train, for this line:
I wanna buy you everything except cologne 'cause it's poison.

Have a non-stinky day!

Peace,

Stacey