Importance of Low-VOC, Pet-Friendly Paints

VOCs From Where?

When it comes to air pollution, most of us know that the most common culprit is usually found in vehicle emissions. But what if we were to tell you that while vehicle emissions add to air pollution, there is another major contributor that you likely hadn’t thought of?

According to a BBC article, chemicals from everyday household products are some of the biggest contributors to indoor and outdoor air pollution. In some cases, the chemicals released rival the toxins emitted from vehicles.

What Are These Chemicals?

The pollutants expressed from these household products (and vehicle emissions) are commonly referred to volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These environmental offenders are often found in petroleum-based products, such as cleaning fluids and paints. VOCs are also found in solvents, such as deodorants, pesticides, and adhesives.

The difference between household VOCs and vehicle emissions is an interesting one. For instance, chemicals in most vehicle fuels are burned up and rendered neutral. Household chemicals, however, are released directly into the air. VOCs that are emitted by consumer and commercial products are estimated to be two to three times greater than those of vehicle emissions. The EPA also suggests that these chemical products are the source of 25% of all petroleum-based VOC emissions.

How Do VOCs Affect People?

Because every body is unique, VOCs affect different people in different ways. Some people love using aerosol air fresheners and could breathe in the scent all day, while other people can’t tolerate the fumes for even a moment. This makes it a bit tricky to regulate the chemicals in household products and keep household-related fumes under control. And while most people know that VOCs can affect the health of humans, most people don’t think about how these off-gassing chemicals affect their pets.

Effects of VOCs on Pets

We all like to believe that our home is the safest possible place for our family, including our pets. The alarming truth is that your home can be more dangerous to your pet’s health than any park, yard, or structure your pet could come across. Today’s homes host and emit a surprising amount of chemicals, gases, and natural toxins, all of which pose a health risk to yourself, your family, and your pets.

What Chemicals Are in My Home?

Take a look in your cleaning cabinet. What do you see? From chemical-laden disinfectants to noxious bleach, poisonous air fresheners, and questionable furniture polishes, dangerous products are used on a regular basis to keep your home “clean.” But, while your floors, countertops, and furnishings are sparkling, your air—and your pets—may be suffering.

What Symptoms Will I – And Possibly My Pet – Experience?

Just like human beings, animals can also have strong or mild reactions to chemicals. Since animals live mere inches away from chemical-laden flooring and furniture that’s potentially contaminated with fire retardant, stain protectors, and other chemicals, your pet can experience mild or strong reactions. Depending on the ventilation, room temperature, and time spent exposed to certain chemicals, you and your pet may experience different symptoms.

Chronic or Prolonged Exposure

Pets and people exposed to chemicals on a frequent basis may experience:

• Cancer
• Liver and/or kidney damage
• Central nervous system damage

Short-Term Exposure

• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Respiratory problems
• Irritation of the eyes, mouth, and nose

What Can You Do?

Thankfully, there are many things you can do to dramatically reduce the VOCs in your home. For instance, you can install new carpeting with staples rather than toxic adhesives. If you’re painting your home, utilize  low-VOC products from ECOS Paints. Opening a window when you paint or clean is also an excellent idea, as doing so will help ventilate your home. If you’ve recently purchased new furniture, you could cut down on pollutants by letting them air out before you put them in your home. Surprisingly, new furniture, especially pieces that use composite materials, can be laden with chemicals. If you’d like to freshen up the air in your space, use baking soda to neutralize odors, simmer a pot of your favorite herbs and seasonings, or turn on your natural essential oil diffuser.

ECOS Paints Atmosphere Purifying Products

If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home, ECOS Paints offers an excellent solution. We’ve developed our Atmosphere Purifying products to help people with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), asthma, and environmental concerns.

ECOS Pet-Friendly Paints

With all of this information in mind, we understand that it may seem intimidating, and even frightening, to clean or paint your home with pets around. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be the case. Natural cleaners will help you get your home squeaky clean without off-gassing any harsh chemicals, and ECOS Paints’ non-toxic pet paints and primers enable you to refresh your walls, floors, and furniture without negatively impacting your pet or your indoor air quality.

ECOS pet-friendly paints and primers are uniquely designed for safe use around your pets, whether they’re dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, or rodents. Don’t believe us? Just check out our comprehensive data sheets. ECOS Paints leads the way in transparency. We place ingredient labels on our non-toxic pet paints and primers, so you can ensure that harmful VOCs won’t negatively affect you and your family. If you have multiple chemical sensitivities or are merely concerned about the health of the environment, you can trust our low-VOC products.

Our Pet Dwellings Paints are odorless, water-based, and quick to dry. You can even apply these paints with your pet in close proximity! Our pet-friendly primers are hard-wearing and can be applied even in occupied areas. ECOS Paints’ Pet Dwellings products can be applied indoors and out, so you can freely freshen up your pet’s cage, house, kennel, and play pen. With ECOS Paints, you don’t have to feel guilty while you freshen up your home. Ask Harold to find the best product for your space today!