Health issues related to traditional paints

Water based traditional paints still contain amounts of volatile organic compound (VOC). These VOC get vaporized to breathable vapors at room temperature. Traditional paints convert your house into a torture gas chamber with the walls spewing toxic vapors of benzene, toluene, formaldehyde and mercury. Traditional paint comes loaded with additives, biocides, coloring agents, fungicides and spread-able agents. There are more than 10,000 chemicals that are are added to the traditional paints. Much of these chemical are newly created hence the   research on their long- term exposure has not been carried out. The number of health effects including allergy, asthma nose and throat discomfort, dyspnea, nose bleeds, muscle weakness and kidney damage.  Some of the common VOC additives found in traditional paints are mentioned below.  

Benzene

Benzene is a sweet smelling chemical that readily releases fumes due to its low volatility. Much of this chemical is manufactured although it also produced naturally by forest fires and volcanoes. The chemical can have devastating effects on the human body as it causes chromosomal damage and cancer. Benzene can also affect the central nervous system leading to dizziness, nausea and even loss of consciousness. The body absorbs the chemical if you are to drink or take a bathe in contaminated water.  

Toluene

Toluene is an industrial solvent that is formed as a by product of petroleum refining.  Toluene is used to manufacture benzene and urethane. The industrial plants that produce these chemicals pollute the air with toluene. Toluene is a classified neurotoxin and developmental toxin. If directly inhaled it can cause light headedness, headache and memory loss.  It is also known to cause liver and kidney damage. When inhaled over a long period of time toluene can distort sleep patterns and even cause permanent brain damage.  The prime reason that VOC causes brain damage is that, once inside the body they are stored in fatty tissue. The brain is high in fat content and has a rich blood supply which makes it an attractive target for the VOC’s.  Toluene is also found in trace amounts in drinking water. This is the reason it is advised not to flush old paint down the drain.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is the only VOC found in paint that is regulated by the EPA. The OSHA (Occupational and Health and Safety Administration) has branded Formaldehyde as a carcinogen.  In addition to being a carcinogen it’s also an allergy and asthma trigger. Formaldehyde is found in everything from the clothes to the wood furniture. The chemical occurs naturally in large quantities but is also chemically synthesized for the manufacture of plastics, and building materials.  Formaldehyde can cause flu like symptoms including watery eyes, stuffy noses and skin rashes.  

Phenol

Phenol plays havoc on your nervous and immune system.  It can restrict the lungs capacity to absorb oxygen. Phenol is classified as Class 2 carcinogen.

Glycol Ether

Glycol Ether affects the respiratory system and the nervous system.  A fatal effect of inhaling glycol ether is that it causes suppression of the bone marrow. Glycol ether also affects the kidneys.