According to the GreenPainters Association , professional painters should choose to use certified low-VOC paints, to prevent exposure to dangerous and poisonous chemicals. Many chemicals are proven carcinogens that are absorbed through the skin, and into the lungs when breathing in fumes. Over time, they accumulate in the body, leading to possible future health issues, including chemical sensitivity, impaired colour vision, tremor, cognitive defects, sterility and associated reproductive risks.
Daniel Wurm, Managing Director of GreenPainters, said that Medical studies have proven that long-term exposure to VOCs from using conventional solvent-based paints in confined spaces leads to higher risk of birth defects, and other illnesses. 'Painters Syndrome' is a relatively common illness afflicting tradesmen, and can lead to permanent allergies.
According to the 2007 cancer report by the World Health Organisation, painters have an increased risk of cancer by 20% and lung cancer by 40%. Painters Unions in Europe such as UCATT (UK) have negotiated a ban on the use of solvent based paints across councils in order to protect their member decorators. Ninety-three percent of painters had reported suffering health problems relating from solvents in paints.
Occupants of new Australian homes may also be exposed to 20 times the maximum allowable limits of indoor air toxics. Studies conducted by the CSIRO show that the National Health & Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) maximum limits of total volatile organic air toxics may be exceeded in such houses for at least ten weeks after completion. The most potent sources were found to be paints, adhesives and some wood-based panels.
It is estimated that each year in Australia more than 80,000 tonnes of VOCs are released into the atmosphere, with the paint industry contributing significantly to this amount. Studies have shown that the cumulative VOC emissions from architectural painting operations exceed the combined emissions from a variety of industrial operations. VOCs from solvent and paint emissions contribute to harmful ozone formation and smog-forming peroxyacetyl nitrate. Common chemicals in conventional paints include glycols, toulene, xylene, and ammonia.
GreenPainters is a non-profit program for professional tradesmen, established to provide advice, knowledge and skills to help consumers get the best environmentally-friendly, non-toxic coating for their painting and decorating project. GreenPainters can offer advice about healthier paint options for every kind of project, from heavy industrial applications to domestic and commercial.
GreenPainters has worked with Sustainability Victoria to develop programs for education of painting contractors, architects, builders and consumers.