Paint SSC

Paint can be a necessary evil--necessary to brighten up a dingy home but evil when it releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The solvents in paints can include benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene, which are known carcinogens or neurotoxins. Oil-based paints rely on VOC-emitting solvents such as mineral spirits to control their drying time, but conventional water-based latex paints aren't necessarily milder: They can contain such VOCs as formaldehyde and the suspected carcinogen acrylonitrile, as well as ethylene glycol ethers associated with lowering sperm count, and fungicides and preservatives to combat mold and mildew.

To avoid VOCs, look on labels for no-VOC paints or low-VOC paints with limits set by California's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Natural milk paints are another no-VOC option, but they must be used quickly once mixed and are prone to mildew, rendering them unfit for bathrooms or kitchens. Whitewashes for exterior use on brick or concrete cost less and are generally low-VOC, though some formulations include formaldehyde. Even paints made from certified organic plants might give off natural VOCs from citrus or pine-based solvents, which can cause allergic reactions. If you have an allergic or asthmatic family member, test any paint before covering a whole wall. Pregnant women should never paint or even enter a freshly painted room until it has dried and been ventilated for at least 72 hours. For healthier, greener products, see the table below.