Dear MomSquawk,

A couple months back you mentioned safety considerations when choosing paint for a nursery. Can you jog my memory and give more info? My husband and I are getting ready for our first baby.

New Mom

Dear New Mom,

First off, congratulations!

I think you must be referring to a post on “green mothering” that mentioned using”low VOC” paint for your nursery as a way to protect against unnecessary chemical exposure.

Here’s a little fleshing out on the topic (a lot of this is new information for me - so thank you for raising the subject):

What are “VOCs”? VOCs are “volatile organic compounds” that are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, some of which can have an adverse affect on one’s health in the short term (say, giving you a headache) or long term (some VOCs are known carcinogens). VOCs are found in thousands of consumer goods, from paints and thinners, to household cleaners, to correction fluid and copy machine supplies. VOCs impair indoor air quality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside our homes and work spaces can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air of our most industrialized cities - and VOCs play a role in that compromised air quality. When paint is first applied, you can tell from the smell that it’s releasing fumes, so ventilation is important, but according to Eartheasy, an environmental site, conventional paint continues to release low levels of toxins for years after it dries.

So how is “low VOC” paint different? As the name suggests, low VOC paints have fewer of these organic compounds and are therefore less polluting of interior spaces.

Is there such a thing as “no VOC” paint? Yes - the EPA allows any paint with five or fewer grams of VOCs per liter to be called “no VOC”. Many major labels (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams) offer no VOC paints in their lineups, but be prepared to pay about $30/gallon, while low VOC paints cost about the same as the conventional cans. Eartheasy also offers information on completely natural paints and finishes made with clay, citrus oil, and even milk!

So who should paint the nursery? According to genetic counselor Kristina Kahl over at BabyCenter, your safest bet is to let your husband have the honors, since we simply don’t know how solvents and chemicals found in paint affect a developing fetus. For what it’s worth, my vote would be to follow this advice even if you use low VOC paints. But since he gets the fun of painting, you get to choose the color.

If you’re interested: The EPA website has more information on taking steps to reduce the impact of VOCs on your health and that of your loved ones. They also have a longer document on general concerns about indoor air quality.

Off-topic, but let me add… If you live in an old house or building, remember that you may have lead paint issues. Take precautions to protect your children, including your unborn baby.

Posted by MommaSteph.

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