Low VOC is Easier to Breathe!

You bought that NettoCollection crib for its sleek modern design, but the fact that it was a safe, sustainable addition to your personal environment was also a big plus. But how to make the rest of your life a little greener? Take a lesson from the NettoCollection Line and use low VOC emitting paints!

All NettoCollection furniture pieces are finished with low VOC paints and stains. VOC stands for “volatile organic compound.” VOCs are gasses that are emitted from a number of common household products, including paints, pesticides and glues. According to the Environment Protection Agency, VOC levels are consistently higher in indoor environments, sometimes as much as ten times higher! VOCs can cause a number of side effects, ranging from headache to nerve damage. Luckily, there are many things you can do to cut indoor air pollution.

With walls accounting for most of the surface area in your home, switching to low VOC paint is one way to make difference in the air quality of your living space. Many manufacturers make low or non-VOC emitting paint, including such classic companies as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams. You can even buy biodegradable paint strippers and thinners to use while working with these products.

When using a paint or solvent of any kind, it is always important to keep your room well ventilated until the paint is fully dry. No matter what the VOC emission rating of your product, keeping a steady flow of fresh air will protect you and your loved ones. Using a low VOC paint will ensure that you continue to breathe easy for years to come.

By Karlynn

For more information about VOCs and products that emit them, as well as safe ways to use these products when necessary, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.