It is a troubling thought that solvents coming from paints in normal use are being released into the atmosphere and is not something we would truly want to happen. What the paints give off are chemical substances called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and these enter the the Earth’s atmosphere. Damage to the ozone, raised risk of smog, and possible global warming, are just a few of the results this may cause. Global warming concerns mean that people are trying to find more alternatives in their choice of paints. Eco-friendly paints were in fact introduced to the market back in the early 1990s, but they were not popular at all and they didn’t impress the public.
Health Concerns
So, will environmentally friendly paints become hot sellers with the raised awareness of global warming? Objections from paint professionals will have to be surmounted. The opposing positions mean that, according to some of these paint experts, paints that have the volatile organic compounds are better to use. The longevity of eco friendly paint and the need to utilize more are the exact reason that paint experts give to oppose them. However, taking into account that VOCs are attributed to health concerns, like asthma and headaches, more and more people are switching from paints that have VOCs to eco friendly paints, leaving the industry no option but to react.
Water-based Paint
A solution to the issue is to make use of water-based latex paint, having acrylic resin which works as a binder. Since VOCs are absent, it means they are Earth-friendly. If plan to paint iron, this is a drawback with water based latex paint because rust will take place more quickly. Irrespective of this issue, latex paints are becoming more and more popular with consumers.
When we say ‘eco friendly paints’, we don’t merely mean the paint itself is environmentally safe, but also the procedure in which the paint was made or how the ingredients were acquired. As an example, Titanium Dioxide is widely used in a lot of paints because of how white it is, which means it is is able to cover other paints. Titanium Dioxide is prepared using a couple of processes that result in weak sulphuric acid being created. This acid, along with the chemicals that were dissolved in it, was released into the sea, which naturally is not healthy for the environment.
Another issue with Titanium Dioxide is that it can react with the sun, leading to smog, when applied as an external coating. Moreover, Titanium Dioxide has been tied in to a carcinogen that can cause cancer in human beings. Even though these worries are well-known Titanium Dioxide remains widely used in paints.
Most people are becoming more and more mindful of the issues typical paints pose to both their health and to the environment, so doesn’t come as a surprise to know that environmentally friendly paints are becoming more popular.