Building a business entails far more than just having a solid idea. If you’re going to have a commercial property, you’ll need to think about the interior design as well as the type of property you desire. There has been a growing trend in recent years to use sustainable materials in restorations and projects, regardless of whether your company is focused on sustainability. It’s all about being as environmentally conscious as possible.
What Is Eco-Friendly Paint?
Eco-friendly paint is defined as having low to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is the most effective way to protect both your health and the environment. VOC stands for ‘Volatile Organic Compounds,’ and it manifests itself in a variety of ways, the most obvious of which is by emitting what many refer to as that ‘new paint smell,’ which is difficult to ignore whether you like it or not.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirms that VOCs can potentially have short and long term health risks and that using products containing this could cause risk to yourself and those around you.
Inorganic pigments derived from chemical formulations such as formaldehyde, benzene, and hydrochloric acid, as well as heavy metals, are the main reason for this. These hazardous substances are known to cause skin irritation as well as inflammation in the throat, in addition to a number of considerably more serious health impacts such as migraines, asthma, nervous system damage, and skin cancer.
When it comes to bringing your business vision to life in your new commercial space, you want to make sure it’s as safe as possible, and eco-friendly paints are unquestionably safe, as they’re made up of many natural chemicals and are much safer to be around.
Can Paint Fumes Be a Health Concern?
It is unquestionably a health consideration, particularly for pregnant women. Certain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as Benzene, which is found in various paints, art materials, automobile exhaust, and pesticides, is a known carcinogen. Many people only need to be concerned about this chemical if they are exposed to it for an extended period of time or are exposed to large quantities.
Breathing excessive levels of this, even if it’s only in a poorly ventilated room that’s just been painted, can cause a variety of short-term health problems, including nervous system disorders and lung damage.
Overexposure during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of a baby being born with a low birth weight, which is linked to an increased risk of learning difficulties or possibly developmental delays.
Why Is It So Important To Be Environmentally Conscious When Renovating Your Business?
The reason it is so important to implement into your renovation is because environmentally-conscious and sustainable materials are becoming more well-known and easier to access, have a stronger formulation and more colour variety.
It is a push towards a more sustainable life, with many electing to go this route within their home, it is important to try and incorporate this way of living into every aspect of life. While there is no such thing as a completely eco-friendly paint, there are many that contain low VOCs as well as needing to look for some that don’t contain microplastics.
Technology is constantly developing and growing where paints with low or no VOC (or chemical ingredients) offer a great choice of colours as well as coverage and durability meaning that you are not only protecting yourself and those around you but you are also creating a beautiful space that will last a long time.