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.

Many homes built before 1978 were painted with lead based paint. In general, the older your home, the more likely it has lead based paint. The federal government banned lead based paint from housing in 1978. Some states stopped its use even earlier. Dangerous levels of lead can be found in many common places, including homes in the city, country, or suburbs, in apartments, single-family homes, and both private and public housing.

Lead based paint has been used both inside and outside of the house, and can also be found in soil around some homes. Soil can pick up lead form exterior paint or other sources such as past use of leaded gas in cars.

 

 

Lead-based paint may be a problem in homes built before 1978. Lead-based paint can have severe deleterious effects on the human body. If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity), slowed growth, hearing problems, and persistent headaches.

Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from difficulties during pregnancy, as well as other reproductive problems (in both men and women). Lead contamination can also cause high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, as well as muscle and/or joint pain.

 

 

Lead based paint is usually not a hazard if it is in good condition, and it is not on an impact or friction surface, like a window. It is defined by the federal government as paint with lead levels greater than or equal to 1.0 milligram per square centimeter, or more than 0.5% by weight. Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can both be serious health hazards.

Deteriorating lead based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, or damaged) is a hazard and needs immediate attention. It may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children have access to or that get a lot of wear and tear, such as windows and window sills, doors and door frames, stairs, railings, banisters, and porches.

Lead dust can form when lead based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep, or otherwise disturb it.