Wall paints compared
Key issues
• The manufacture of paint solvents is responsible for emitting
as much VOCs as that produced by cars.
• Some synthetic paint can generate as much as 30 tonnes of waste
per tonne of paint.
Types of paint:
1 Natural paints
‘Natural Paints’ are less damaging to the environment though
VOCs are still present, but at much-reduced levels than their synthetic
equivalents. They also tend to be more expensive.
Mineral / Stone paint
 |
No solvents |
|
Long life on both internal and external porous
backgrounds |
|
Prolonged colour rendition |
 |
Moderate embodied energy |
Oil based emulsion and wood / vegetable
|
Made from renewable resources |
|
Low embodied energy |
|
VOCs less toxic than for synthetic paints |
|
Emit VOCs |
Casein / Distemper (protein) paint
|
Made from renewable resources |
|
Low embodied energy |
|
Non-toxic |
|
Durability may be an issue |
Clay Paint
|
Made from abundant resources |
|
Low embodied energy |
|
Non-toxic |
|
Limited range of colours |
Limewash / Whitewash
|
Non-toxic but may cause irritation during application |
|
Made from non-renewable resources. Extraction
might be an issue in the landscape |
|
Needs several coats |
2 Synthetic paints
‘Synthetic Paints’ are made from petrochemical and mineral
resources. The main problem is the high level of VOCs present. Water-borne
synthetic paints are generally safer for the user with less VOCs but that
reduction is usually balanced with an increased load of other toxic chemicals.
Some common ingredients of synthetic paints
 |
Acrylic
resin |
Oil based gloss, eggshell,
enamel, varnishes, acrylic emulsions |
|
Ashphalt chlorobenzene |
Paint, waterproof wallpaper,
pesticides, paint, varnish |
|
Formaldehyde |
Used in furniture, wallpaper,
glue and paint |
|
Ethylene Glycol |
Solvent for water based
paints |
|
Petrol |
Basis for numerous products |
|
Polyurethane |
Used by itself and in
paint |
|
Trichloroethylene |
Found in paint and wallpaper
glue |
|
Toluene |
Acrylic and emulsion
paints |
|
Vinyl chloride |
Essential components
of PVC |
Vinyl Emulsion paint
|
Derived from petrochemicals |
|
High level of hazardous waste during manufacture |
|
Toxic during manufacture |
|
Toxic during application |
|
High embodied energy |
|
Waste paint is treated as chemical waste |
Acrylic Emulsion paint
|
Derived from petrochemicals |
|
High level of hazardous waste during manufacture |
|
Toxic during manufacture |
|
Toxic during application |
|
Waste paint is treated as chemical waste |
We would specify:
First choice: • Linseed oil based paint containing
natural pigments
Second choice:• Wood and vegetable based resin
paints • Casein paint
• Mineral paint • Limewash
If you have to use synthetic paint: • Use Zero
- VOC 100% Acrylic emulsion
Further information:
• 'Ecoartisan' - a superb introduction to natural and synthetic
paints www.ecoartisan.org
• Harmful Emissions from Paint and Safer Alternatives (California)
www.aerias.org
