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Organic Paints & Stains
Anyone who suffers from allergies or chemical
sensitivities or who is interested in using
“green” building materials should consider
organic paints and wood stains rather than
the commonly available varieties. Organic
paints and stains are not made from toxic
petrochemicals and heavy metals such as lead,
cadmium, or mercury. Instead they are manufactured
using plant oils as solvents and mineral
pigments for color. The specialty companies
that produce these paints and stains obtain
their materials from environmentally managed
sources and produce their products using
sustainable ecological methods.
If you are thinking of using
an organic paint
or stain, consider the following:
- These products are made for both interior
and exterior surfaces. The paints come in
the same wide range of finishes as standard
paints, from flat through eggshell to glossy.
There are also wood stains, varnishes, radiator
and masonry finishes, primers, undercoats,
and sealers for stone and tile.
- These paints and stains are durable and easy
to clean. They can be applied directly on
to surfaces with old paint finishes.
- When buying these products, look for brands
that are made from water, synthetic binders
or resins, natural pigments, mineral fillers
such as limestone or clay, and cellulose
or resinous viscosity builders.
A truly organic paint or stain
will have
no VOC’s (volatile compounds).
Some products
that are labeled “organic” are
really just
low VOC versions and will contain
some petrochemicals.
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