This blog features insights from Mr Mahesh S Anand, who leads the India Operations, Decorative Division of Nippon Paint India and serves as Co-Chair of IGBC (India Green Building Council), Chennai Chapter, provided valuable insights into paint safety, health, and environmental aspects.
Air quality has become a significant concern in modern life. While outdoor pollution from vehicles, industrial emissions, and construction activities poses major challenges, indoor air quality in homes and offices deserves equal attention—particularlybecause it's within our direct control.
Immediate Simple step, ventilation is underrated. Proper ventilation is a simple yet effective solution that allows fresh air tocirculate, removing toxic buildup and improving indoor air quality. Regular ventilation helps maintain a healthier indoor environment and promotes positivity in living spaces.
Long-term one-time step, choose your paints wisely.
Paints and air quality, how are they related to each other?
Well, paints are mostly seen as a decorative element of the homes, but it is beyond that. Some of us might have heard about lead in paints which post knowing its ill effects on health in not permitted now beyond a certainlevel. However, other elements stay and keep getting released in small quantum even a few days and months after painting.
So, how do people make the paint decisions?
This decision primarily is determined by the contractors or designers who are hired by consumers to finish their paintingwork. Our recent survey findings reveal interesting consumer behaviours regarding paint selection:
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50% of consumers choose paint based on brand name
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30% consider toxicity as a factor to check
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Less than 10% specifically look for low VOC/ greener
What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemicals released as invisible gases from certain liquids and solids. The familiar "new paint smell" after painting a room is actually the emission of VOCs. Common examples include:
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Formaldehyde
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Benzene
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Acetone
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Kerosene
So, how does it impact?
Health Impacts of VOCs
Short-term effects: Headaches, Dizziness and Eye and throat irritation
Long-term risks: Liver and kidney damage, potential cancer risks and particularly hazardous for children, elderly, and thosewith respiratory conditions
Then, what are the alternatives to it?
There are Low VOC, Ultra Low VOC or Zero VOC paints available in the market today. In simple terms, these are the water-based paints as against the solvent-based paints that dominated the markets earlier. This has provided with better and safer choices to choose from. This segment is evolving now with the R&D and innovations across the paint industry.
Industry Expert Insights
The good thing that has happened over the years with industry initiatives and increasing awareness is that no paint today can contain lead beyond a certain level and all paint manufacturers of paint have to declare the same. Lead can affectmultiple organ systems, and the exposure is unsafe.
Below is a quick summary of some of the key aspects to review to make a smart decision on painting next time.
How should we choose paints among the plethora of choices and multiple functions & features available?
Consider these factors when choosing paint:
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Protection requirements (wall, steel, )
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Longevity before repainting
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Specific needs:
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Kid's rooms: washability and antibacterial properties
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Elderly spaces: anti-formaldehyde features
Is there any standard certification which can be checked for a sustainable alternative and what does that indicate?
Currently, there is Greenpro Certification which certifies the building materials including paints. A Greenpro certification for paint indicates that along with the basic functionality requirements, the product has been checked for:
- Zero heavy metals
- Zero VOC content
- 25-30% reduced carbon footprint during manufacturing
Won't the cost be higher for the sustainable alternatives?
- Paint material typically represents 40% of the total cost
- Application charges account for 60%
Overall pricing difference between Green Pro certified products vs conventional products is not much.
The final word that stood out for us in this discussion was sustainability is about the harmony in nature and the balance of five elements of nature. By making informed decisions about paint products, we can contribute to better indoor air quality while protecting our health and the environment.
The video interview will be published soon for more in-depth understanding.
