According to the Environmental Protection Agency, when not enough outdoor air enters your home, the level of air pollutants increases, causing discomfort and health problems. This is especially true for new homes, which are well insulated. During winter and summer months the condition worsens due to forced air heating/cooling, which promotes excessive indoor air movement.

The indoor air quality is a big concern not only in enclosed commercial and office areas, but also in our safe-haven homes, where we rest and relax.

Chemical pollutants (like volatile organic compounds “VOCs” and formaldehyde) are released from furniture, new materials used to renovate a house, paints, adhesives, and various household products. Biological air pollutants like mold and dust mites are present in damp and ill-ventilated environments. All of them may cause a spectrum of illnesses, from upper-respiratory problems, headaches and allergies, up to organ damage and cancer.

What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harms of polluted indoor air?

1. eliminate dust-gathering, hard-to-clean items (dried flowers, heavy draperies, etc.)
2. choose easily cleanable window treatments and bedding, wash/clean them often
3. use low-or zero-VOC paint & drywall when renovating
   ask for it at the store; there is always a healthy alternative for the product you intend to buy
4. watch out for toxic adhesives in building products, cabinets, upholstery and carpet; always check the labels
5. get rid of the carpet; consider hard floor surfaces like solid wood, reclaimed wood , bamboo, concrete or ceramic tile flooring for low toxicity and greater cleanability
6. if possible, convert your heating system to radiant floor heating – it will minimize dust particle movement throughout your home and make it “stick” to the floor (easier to clean); it will also give your space a more consistent temperature
7. install an air filtering and humidification system in your home; it will greatly improve the indoor air quality and give you more control over the inside environment.

Do you know that harmful VOCs can be present in practically every man-made home product you’re buying? The “new” smell is what’s revealing their presence. Higher temperatures (when exposed to the sun, warming up while working) promote the release of VOCs. Remove those items, especially from bedrooms, or minimize their use.

Interested in more? The text above is a chapter from “10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home” special report by Bozena Studio. You can download it by clicking on the link below:
10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home. How to Find a Perfect Balance of Comfort, Luxury and Wellness for the Space You Live In.

Everyone is talking about VOCs and non-toxic paints, but what exactly does it mean? How can you be sure that your next paint project will be safe and healthy for  you and other inhabitants of the space you’ve just made pretty?

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature , causing (according to the EPA) headaches, nausea, allergic skin reaction, upper respiratory irritation, and even organ damage and cancer. Paints, stains and varnishes release low level toxic emissions into the air well after paint is dry. The levels of VOCs in indoor air average 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors.

When shopping for paint, it makes sense to choose the type containing low levels or no VOCs at all. Even though many paint manufacturers offer low VOC (maximum 50 g/l) or zero VOC (less than 5 g/l) products, the choice between paint performance, price point, and green aspect is rather tough. The adding of pigment to the paint base at the paint store can add 2-5 g/l of VOC. Lowering VOC levels can affect other “green” aspects of paint, like coverage and addition of other synthetic materials for flow control and settling.

Fortunately, there are some fail-safe options for buying low VOC paints. One of them is to go with the larger paint company. Benjamin Moore, Dunn-Edwards, and Sherwin Williams all have low or zero VOC type paint lines. At Bozena Studio, we usually recommend Benjamin Moore Aura paint (great coverage, low VOC) and Natura (zero VOC – according to manufacturer remains zero VOC even after tinting, which means it’s virtually odorless regardless of color).

You can also use more expensive and less readily available non-toxic or natural paints, mostly manufactured by alternative paint companies. Their ingredients are all natural and include among others plant oils and dyes, natural minerals, milk protein, etc. Some manufacturers include Bio Shield, Livos, FreshAire, Yolo Colorhouse, and many more. The bottom line: look for the paint cans that display the Green Seal mark (it certifies that they meet at least the GS-11 Standard for Low VOC content).

Here are some additional suggestions to minimize exposure to VOCs in paints: provide good ventilation during and right after painting, buy paint with a great coverage to bring the number of coats to a minimum, use the right equipment (don’t forget the mask), read labels, and take special care of children and pets.