I was recently introduced to an organization that brings issues related to sustainability and eco-friendly living called Back Porch Initiatives. As you’ll see on their site, Back Porch is a non-profit organization working with communities to cultivate local responses to the national and global issue of energy consumption. The Back Porch team is committed to collaborating with communities on existing resources, leveraging new ideas, and developing practical, economical and environmental solutions.

Back Porch has extended an invitation for us to present during one of their weekly community conversations on Monday, July 21st, 2008. We’ll be speaking about healthy paint options available here in Richmond, and will also likely discuss the local green-building resources. We will be at Globehopper Coffeehouse at 2100 E. Main Street in Richmond’s historic Church Hill. This event is free and open to the public.

If you aren’t free to attend this coming Monday’s conversation, please know that Back Porch holds these talks every Monday evening from 7-8 pm at Globehopper.

It’s a buzz-word we’ve heard a lot in the paint world over the last few years. When I’m talking to customers, they often don’t understand what “VOC’s” mean, just that fewer of them is a good thing when it comes to paint. Simply put, VOC’s are gasses that contaminate the quality of the air inside your house. Among other things, it’s not uncommon for formaldehyde (you know, the stuff used to preserve our bodies after we die) to be present in the air following a paint job, and not just for a few days. There are plenty of other chemicals, and up to 50% of the toxic gasses and carcinogens from traditional paints leak into your home up to six years after it dries on your wall. You can often tell a traditional paint from one that has been produced without these same hazardous preservatives - It smells like chemicals, and most people want to get out of a freshly painted house as quickly as they can. The most noticeable side effects are those that are immediate, such as headaches or light-headedness.

Many manufacturers have chosen to remove these unnecessary chemicals from their paints, without sacrificing quality. When you use a paint that has ingredients proven to keep your air cleaner than traditional competitors, it’s a good thing. It’s important to note that not all low- or no-VOC paints are created equal. Be a smart consumer - When you hire a paint contractor, whether it’s Dramatic Changes or someone else, ask questions about the products they use. Request information, and look them up on the web. Most products nowadays will have frequently asked questions, contact email and phone numbers, as well as MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) posted online to make it easier for people to learn about the products available for their home.

To learn more about VOC’s and healthier paint alternatives, Consumer Reports has done their research on the subject, which can be found here: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/04/vocs-in-paint.html.

With Spring in full force, I’ve noticed a thin film of pollen on my car over the last few days. Consequently, I’m noticing plenty of people suffering from seasonal allergies. These can be tough to manage when the cause is something like blooming trees, plants, and flowers. Sometimes, though, our allergies are caused by things that we can control. Sensitive to certain foods? Don’t eat them. Allergic to cats? Don’t spend time around them. Are you allergic to dust, mold, or other things found indoors? What do you do then? A huge number of people have symptoms that are caused by poor indoor air quality, and many of them get confused and frustrated about what to do to improve the situation.

So, what can you do to improve indoor air quality in your home? Here are a few ideas, though this list is far from comprehensive…

1. Contact a local company that evaluates and treats indoor air quality.

2. Use a high quality air purifier.

3. Use natural cleaning products. These are easy to find in stores where you shop regularly.

4. When you do home improvements, ask about non-toxic product options.

5. Open your windows!

As a paint company, we can advise you about a wide variety of options for interior painting. From paints with far fewer toxic chemicals to clay plasters that are 100% natural — We’re happy to talk with you about available options in Richmond. They’re often cost effective, and in some cases, you have an opportunity to support a local business, so you can support the local economy while you support your family with a healthy paint.