Newsletter Ootober EDGE

Green Paints for Green Buildings

Introduction

Paints can have a major impact on the overall

aesthetics of a space; sometimes more than even
flooring and furnishings because of the enormous
square footage of coverage.

Paints mav also have a major negative impact on

the indoor air qualitv of a building, because tnev
mav contain chemicals called voiatile Organic
Compounds |[‘v'0Cs} and other toxic components
that evaporate into the air and are harmful to the
health of the occupants. vOCs are a primarv
contributors to smog generation.
Environmental effects of Paints
Paint has three major components: a pigment for
color, a binder that holds the pigment to the surface
and a carrier or solvent {mineral spirits or water] to
dissolve and maintain the pigments. Latex, water-
based paints have significantlv iower environmental
impacts than oil or solvent-based paints since thev
don't use petroleum carriers or have nearlv as manv
smog-forming emissions. According to the US
Environmental Protection Agencvf USEPA}, 9% of
the airborne pollutants creating ground level ozone
come from the ‘v'UCs in paint. Low and zero ‘v'OC
paints have little or no smog-forming emissions.
Benefits of Low VOC Paints
Environmental
'v'ElCs react with sunlight and nitrogen oxides in the
atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, a chemical
that has a detnmental effect on human health,
agricultural crops, forest and ecosvstems. These
problems can be eliminated using lovv VDC paints

Confederation of Indian Industry

oii-ssruanqi flu-dre] Green Etlahiflt Cefllrl
Economic
l-iealthv occupants are more productive and have
less illness-related absenteeism. Lise of high-‘v'DC
content materials can cause illness and mav
decrease occupant productivitv. These problems
result in increased expenses and liabilitv for
building owners, operators and insurance
companies.
Indoor Environment
Selecting materials that are low in voc helps
voc refers to a class of chemicals which evaporate
reduce sources of poilutants during the
readilv at room temperature. Thev are in all oil-
construction process and in the finished building.
based paints as solvents. Manv latex paints {which
Also low 'v'UC paints have little odor.
use water as the "solvent" or carrier} also contain
Potential Health Effects of Paints 'v'OCs as part of their paint chemistrv. When these
vfitis off-gas, thev mav cause a varietv of health
problems like nausea, dizziness, irritation of the
eves Sr respiratorv tract, and more serious illnesses
like heart, lung or kidnev damage and cancer.
I _ - mi‘

,rnrl Certain people are particularlv susceptible to these

effects, including those with weakened immune
svstems or chemical sensitivities, asthmatics,
voung children and the elderlv. In the case of these
sensitive occupants, be sure products are tested for
Paint is applied wet and must undergo a cirving 'v’OCs before applving. Since low- or no-v'DC paints
process, and sometimes a chemical reaction, in
order to form a solid paint film on the wall or other
surface . It is during this drving or chemical process
that vDCs and other paint components are
released. Manv paints contain a high percentage of
l.lC|Cs so that thev will clrv faster. Paints also
continue to offgas somewhat for manv davs, weeks,
and months after application and especiallv each
time the temperature and humiditv in the room
rises.

Confederation of Indian industry

Gil-Sohr-lbil Gotiqd Grow Business Glnlri
 WIPRO Technologies—Gurgaon Development
Centre , Gurgaon

Grundfos Pumps (India J Private Ltd, Chennai

Technopoiis, Koikata

anifizfi

have a lesser impact on air guaiitv, thev are

excellent for use in buildings where it is desirable to
have verv low levels of toxicitv, such as hospitals,
schools, orthe homes and workplaces.

Once airborne, rnanv "v"CiC5 have the abilitv to

combine with each other, or with other molecules in
the air, to create new chemical compounds. Air
oualitv testing shows that indoor \.-‘DC levels are Co t‘ T e ‘v'UC in grams,-F
a mg W litre of product minus water
consistentlv ten times higher than outdoor levels,
and can be as much as 1,DUD times higher after a iilon-flat 15o
new coat of paint. Flat so

Green Building Requirement

The Green Buildings rated bv US Green Building

Council i_USGBC]l Bi Indian Green Building Council
{IGBCJ for LEED [Leadership in Energv Bl
Environment Design) Certification use paints with
'v’DCs as shown in the table. Low 'v'DC paints are
manufactured and sold bv numerous companies.

I CII - Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre,

Hvderabad
o ITC — Green Centre, Gurgaon

Confederation of Indian industry

IIIII-SoI'u'al1il{]o-dire-] Green Business Cehlre
 Making Good Choices

Sometimes simpiv washing walls andfor using

a little touch - up paint can make them appear
new. When it is necessarv to paint, use least
toxic andjor Low- or No-‘v'CiC products, and
water-based paints. This will also eiiminate the
need for toxic solvents for cleanup.

Remember that a more durable paint is less

expensive in the long run. A 10-vear paint mav
cost a little more than a 5—vear, but there is
onlv a one—time labor cost, which is the most
expensive part of most paintjobs.

Proper preparation is also critical for a durable

paint application. All surfaces must be clean
and dust free, with anv visible cracking,
peeling, or blistering removed.
ISSUE SPONSORED BY:
If there is existing paint, determine what it is
and appropriatelv prepare for the next coat. Be TRU‘~;,"5~.w0 RTH
sure to choose primers and top coats that are
compatible.

Green vs. Conventional Paints

Green Paints Conventional Paints For lurlher details. please contact:

Contribute to
Cleaner air; reduced environmental pollution
ozone depletion
and ozone depletion
Confederation of Indian industry
Minimal health risks Significant health risks Cli-Sohrehjl Godrej Green Business Centre
Total Cost: same as any Subrata Fla;
Low but with high
High qualitv paint s Senor Counselor
O Ht H oosts
low Cl lit M costs Survlev No B4, léothaguda Post. Near Hi-Tech Gilv. Hyderabad 500 [132
Tei: =91 4C! 23112Sl?1-?B Ext ; 231. Fax; +Si 4|} 2311253?
Emaii;subrata.rav@olionllne.org»'madhav.kan'ieth@c:+onIine.org
www.greenbosinessoenlre.com

Confederation of Indian Industry

Bil-Sollrdrll Go-or-e| Green Btlflhlfli Denlre