Low VOC Paints

A friend and former customer of mine picked up on a recent blog which highlighted the Benjamin Moore Aura paint. I am embarrassed that I overlooked the environmental issues involved with the newer generation of "green" paints. Aura and others of the low VOC (volatile organic compound) variety reduce potentially harmful "off-gassing" during the drying phases of the paint process. According to one study, the paint related "off-gassing" from the older paints contributes to nearly 10% of the man-made ozone depleting gases, and can be harmful to the health of some chemically sensitive people. I have read that there is another phenomena called Sick House Syndrome that identifies the affects of numerous man-made products that release potentially harmful vapors, and paint ranks among the top of contributors. I say potentially to be politically correct, but if you run a Google search you will become overwhelmed with links to environmental related topics. These links can cite all of the scientific data, statistics, etc.; however, I am convinced that everyone should be sensitive to the advancement of "green friendly" products. I thank my friend for reminding me that there is more to paint than the cosmetic finish....