Question
Is there a reason to paint over non-eco-friendly paint with low-VOC paint?
We are moving into a new home that has two stinky fresh coats of regular paint on the walls. As we paint the walls over time in the colors that we want, will we be doing any good by using low-VOC paints?
Answer
Yes, after you’ve off-gassed your VOC paint, it would be worthwhile to repaint with a non-VOC product. Introducing more VOC paint would be counterproductive. Remember, most of the off-gassing occurs sooner than later. So if you don’t want VOC off-gassing, then purchase non-VOC paint.
Next, how to address your newly painted home: The fresher the paint, the more off-gassing there is. Two factors can accelerate off-gassing -- low humidity and air flow.
Some people suggest vacating the home, turning on the heat for four days, and opening the windows for three days. Using fans can help, too. You’ll find a number of strategies described on the web.
There are a couple of philosophies on what to do with VOC paint. Some say go ahead and seal it and others suggest that sealers don’t work and walls need to breathe. It is challenging to separate marketing from fact. There are a number of articles on paints available from the EPA, such as this one.
Note that not all "non-VOC" paints are the same -- many contain toxic substances. You’ll need to read the labeling before you select a product. That said, there are many good green paint options available on the market.
For more information:
Read Victoria Schomer's Q&A "How can you tell if it is truly a "green paint" from start to finish?" when you're ready to choose a green paint.
