Love that fresh paint smell?

Here at Purely Maid, a lot of conversation topics have been baby-centered lately. Why, you ask? Well, Tosha has had a few and Allison is adding one to the Purely Maid forces in a few short months.

One of the biggest decisions, as a mother, and something that Allison has been comtemplating with Tosha, is "What color to paint the nursery?" If you've ever remodeled a room, you know that the color choices are endless. Even if you decide on white, there are hundreds of shades of white! Something that should be more important than the color choice, however, is the choice to use a paint that contains NO (or LOW) VOCs. Upon a recent trip to Menards, Tosha and Allison saw several brands of paint that boasted no or low VOCs on the label but were not quite sure what a VOC was, or how it would affect them.

VOC stands forVolatile Organic Compouds and it is the stuff that gives paint its signature smell. The stronger the odor of the room you have painted, the more VOCs the paint contains. Some examples of compounds that would be considered VOCs and are found in interior paints are benzene, formaldehyde, kerosene, ammonia, toluene and xylene. These six compounds are classified as either carcinogens or neurotoxins and can lead to various health issues. VOCs can worsen asthma, cause skin and eye irritation, headaches, nausea, dizziness, trouble with coodination, respiratory problems, nerve damage, and in severe cases - liver or kidney damage.

VOCs are also emitted by paint strippers, some cleaning products, pesticides, office equipment such as copiers and printers, glues/adhesives, permanant markers, and air fresheners.

In addition to the health risks created by VOCs, they also contribute to air pollutants. What do you get when you add sunlight, VOCs, and atmospheric nitrous oxide? SMOG, that's what!

So if you are remodeling a room, or turning that spare "junk" room into a nursery, look for paints that have no or low VOCs. The major paint brands all seem to have a line of low-to-no VOC paints.

If you're using paint for a project and are unsure of its VOC content, it is best to ventilate, ventilate, ventilate! Also, buy as close to the needed amount as possible and properly dispose of any leftovers. Make sure to wear a mask if stripping or sanding paint. If the paint that you are removing is older, it may be wise to have it tested for lead before handling.

And if you have any suggestions for Allison's little one's nursery (or the babies name, for that matter) please share!