VOC paint is paint that contains Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC for short). VOCs are harmful chemicals carbon-containing substances that vaporize at room temperature and enter the atmosphere. Over time, these chemicals are be released into the air through a process called off-gassing.
When VOCs evaporate from paints and other products, they can contribute to air pollution and the formation of ground-level ozone, which can have negative effects on air quality and human health. VOCs can also contribute to the formation of smog and can be harmful to both indoor and outdoor air quality.
0 to 400 ppb: This is the acceptable level of VOC indoors. You should not expect short-term effects such as irritation or discomfort. 400 to 2,200 ppb: Short-term exposure can result in noticeable effects such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes.
If you're wondering if you should get the 55% or 80% version, it's going to be the 55% unless you're in Texas or North Carolina where they are allowed to purchase the 80% version. There was a famous Sebastian Shaper spray that came out a few years back that was one of the best sprays out there (and was an 80%).
While some of the harmful components are eradicated as the smell dissipates (as the paint dries), it doesn't completely go away, because VOCs can evaporate under regular room temperature for a long period of time, the effect may linger for years.
VOCs are volatile organic compounds with high vapor pressure typically found in almost all your aerosol products. VOCs are ingredients like alcohol and certain other types of propellants.
RESET Indoor Air Quality Standards for TVOC
Acceptable indoor VOC levels (in ppm) include anything under 0.25 ppm, or 500 µg/m3. For a building to be considered “high performance,” TVOC levels shouldn't exceed 0.20 ppm or 400 µg/m3.
To find the VOC emissions from an overall coating, first find the Overall VOC Content* of the coating. The Overall VOC Content is the Overall Weight of VOC in the Coating divided by the Total Parts in the Coating. Overall Weight of VOC – For each component, multiply its VOC of Material by the Mix Ratio.
Long-term exposure can damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, and some VOCs are linked to cancer. They may worsen symptoms for people with asthma and COPD. VOCs come from many sources, including home cleaning products, building materials, personal care products, and outdoor sources that can enter homes.
Human presence causes VOC levels to rise
We often receive the question from users "Why do VOC levels increase in my bedroom at night?" and the answer is likely that the VOC sensor is naturally reacting to the build-up of breath and results of other bodily functions in the room during the night.
Sherwin-Williams Harmony Interior Acrylic Latex paint
A top-selling acrylic option is Sherwin-Williams' Harmony, which is water based and offers zero VOCs.
If you are using a low-VOC, water-based paint with a “Green Seal” logo of any kind, it is also okay to sleep in the room the same day paint is applied. However, the paint will still smell for 24 hours or more. Typically the smell will lessen in 2-3 days if you keep a window open and/or a fan blowing.
Unlike particulate matter, gaseous pollutants like VOCs cannot be captured by regular HEPA filter based media. Instead, you need an activated-carbon filter to remove these chemicals.
2,200 to 30,000 ppb: VOC levels at this level are unhealthy indoors. There is a possibility that short-term exposure could cause dizziness, nausea, and loss of coordination.
Exposure to VOC vapors can cause a variety of health effects, including eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches and loss of coordination; nausea; and damage to the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system.
Continued exposure to VOCs can cause skin inflammation (111). Air pollution can cause scalp irritation, redness, itching, excess sebum secretion, dandruff, root pain, and hair loss. The condition is known as sensitive scalp syndrome (109). The condition can mimic or overlap androgenic alopecia.
Avoid hairsprays that contain ethanol.
Ethanol is a type of alcohol that can be drying and damaging to the hair and irritating to the scalp. It's best to avoid hairsprays that use ethanol as their solvent. Instead, opt for stearyl, cetearyl, or cetyl alcohol, which are non-drying fatty alcohols.
Are antiperspirant and deodorants regulated for VOC content? Yes, antiperspirants/deodorants have standards set for Medium Volatility Organic Compound (MVOC) and High Volatility Organic Compound (HVOC) content. Specific information regarding the limit can be found in Cal.
VOCs in Paints and Coatings
Flat (or matte) paints with fewer than 50 grams of VOCs per liter are generally considered to be low-VOC, while a zero-VOC paint is one with fewer than 5 grams per liter. Nonflat paints (such as satin and semi-gloss) are considered low-VOC if they have fewer than 100 grams of VOCs per liter.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint fumes can lead to several different problems. Short term exposure to VOCs can include irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual impairment, and temporary loss of memory. Some of these can be more severe than others.