CONSIDERATIONS:
Most finishes and adhesives contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which outgas and adversely affect indoor air quality. Lower VOC and non-VOC products are now readily available from many companies, however.
The Environmental Choice(TM) Program in Canada has established minimal VOC standards for finishes to receive their Eco Logo(TM). The Environmental Choice(TM) program recognizes negative impacts on the environment and people from VOCs. California and a number of other states have now adopted and sometimes improved upon those Canadian standards. The Green Builder Program strives to follow the Canadian standards.
Low biocide paints avoid the fungicides and mildewcides typically added to latex paint to extend shelf life. These additives are considered harmful to indoor air quality and are specifically avoided by environmentally sensitive persons.
Natural plant/mineral-based finishes and adhesives are available from three German companies. They cost 2 to 2 1/2 times more than standard products. Low biocide and VOC paints also cost more. Low biocide paints can spoil if not used quickly.
Commercial Status |
Implementation Issues |
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Water-Based Adhesives | |||||||
Minimal VOCs | |||||||
Low-Biocide | |||||||
Natural Paints |
Legend | |
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Satisfactory |
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Satisfactory in most conditions |
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Satisfactory in Limited Conditions |
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Unsatisfactory or Difficult |
Ecologically Safe Homes/Healthy House Institute
7471 North Shiloh Rd.
Unionville, IN 47468
(812) 332-5073
indoor air/healthy house consulting, books
Environment Associates
4219 Richmond Ave. Ste 250
Houston, TX 77027-6889
indoor air/healthy house consulting
(713) 528-0000
Clint Good
Box 143
Lincoln, VA 22078
(703) 478-1352
indoor air/healthy house consulting
HealthMaster Inc.
P. O. Box 514
New Canaan, CT 06480
(203) 966-3541
indoor air/healthy house consulting
Safe Environments
2512 9th St. #17
Berkeley, CA 94710
(800) 356-2663
resources/publications
Eco-Wise
110 W. Elizabeth
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-4474
retail store carrying Livos and Auro non-toxic, natural finishes and adhesives
"Old Paint", City of Austin
Robby Hendrick, 326-5789
Primer from recycled latex,
(only available to Green Building members, low-income housing projects, non-profits.
NonToxiCA, Inc.
730 Broadway, Suite #1
Dunedin, FL 34698
813/ 736-0930
813/ 736-0931 (Fax)
no VOCs, no formaldehyde, no benzene, no heavy metals, no isocyanates.
ICI/Glidden
925 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44115
(800) 221-4100 (Glidden)
1-800-984-5444 (ICI)
no VOC paint Lifemaster 2000 no-VOC
Local Supplier: ICI/Dulux
9535 N IH-35, 837-5871
1707 W. Anderson Lane, 454-2741
LIVOS Phytochemistry of America, Inc.
13 Steeple Street
PO Box 1740
Mashpee, MA 02649
(508) 477-7955
www.livos-us.com
Livos natural finishes & products & paints
Sutherland Wells Ltd.
P.O. Box 1387, Shady Lane
Morrisville, VT 05661
(800) 322-1245
low-toxic line of wood finishes
Miller Paint Co.
317 SE Grand Ave.
Portland, OR 97214-1191
(503) 223-4021
low biocide, no-VOC paint
Benjamin-Moore & Co.
Montvale, NJ 07645
"Pristine" and "Crayola" no-VOC paints
Eco Design
1365 Rufina Circle
Santa Fe, NM 87501
(800) 621-2591
natural finishes & products & casein paint
Chem-Safe Products
P. O. Box 33023
San Antonio, TX 78265
(210) 657-5321
"non-toxic" latex paint
Basic Coatings
P.O.Box 677
Des Moines, IA 50303
(800) 247-5471
water-based urethane, no biocides
Local: Trinity Hardwood 835-4191
Osterman & Schweiwe USA
P.O.Box 669
Spanaway, WA 98387
(800) 344-9663
natural oil-based wood finishes
The Living Source
7005 Woodway Drive
Waco, TX 76712-6169
(254) 776-4878
retail store carrying non-toxic finishes and adhesives. Also carries no-voc paints.
Frazee Paints
6625 Miramar Road
San Diego, CA 92121
(619) 276-9500 (ask for sales operations)
no-VOC paints
Pace-Chem
156 N. Garden St.
Ventura, CA 93001
(800) 350-2912
healthier water-based sealers, no biocides
Designer Floors of Texas
2400 Braker Lane West, Suite D
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 834-8767
Sinan Co.(Auro brand)
PO Box 857
Davis, CA 95617-0857
(916) 753-3104
Hendricksen Naturlich Flooring
7120 Keating Ave.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 829-3959
AFM Enterprises
350 West Ash St., Suite 700
San Diego, CA 92101
(800) 239-0321
makes a sealant that blocks toxic fumes from carpets and adhesives
PL Adhesives & Sealants
ChemRex Inc.
889 Valley Park Dr.
Shakopee, MN 55379-1854
(612) 496-6000
PL Premium no-VOC construction adhesive
United McGill
2400 Fairwood Ave.
P. O. Box 820
Columbus, OH 43216-0820
(800) 624-5535, (614) 443-5520
water-based mastic
W. F.Taylor
13660 Excelsior Dr.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(213) 802-1896
Envirotec adhesives, low VOCs
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Room 529
Washington, DC 20207
(800) 638-2772
Greenkeeping Inc.
Box 28
Annandale, NY 12504
(800) 285-6525 for subscriptions
Environmental Health Center of the National Safety Council
(800) 424-5323
re: information on lead paint
Healthy Homes in a Toxic World, by Maury M. Breecher, Shirley Linde
Healthy by Design : Building and Remodeling Solutions for Creating Healthy Homes, by David Rousseau, James Wasley
The Healthy Household : A Complete Guide for Creating a Healthy Indoor Environment, by Lynn Marie Bower
Environmental Resource Guide, Joseph A. Demkin (Editor)
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Sustainable Building Sourcebook web version copyright Sustainable Sources 1994-1999.