VOCs in Paint: What They Are and How to Choose Healthier Options
What are VOCs?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. Volatile organic compounds are compounds that have high vapor pressure and low water solubility. Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants. VOCs typically are industrial solvents, such as trichloroethylene; fuel oxygenates, such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE); or by-products produced by chlorination in water treatment, such as chloroform. VOCs are often components of petroleum fuels, hydraulic fluids, paint thinners, and dry cleaning agents. VOCs are common ground-water contaminants. “https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs”
Sources of VOCs
VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and, furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
Why VOCs in Paint Matter for Your Health and Indoor Air Quality
Understanding why VOCs in paint matter starts with recognizing how these chemicals behave once applied to your walls. As paint dries, and even as it continues to age, it releases gases known as volatile organic compounds. These emissions can linger in your home for days or weeks, affecting everyone who breathes the indoor air. Short-term exposure can lead to headaches, dizziness, throat or eye irritation and nausea. Over time, higher exposure levels may worsen allergies or intensify asthma symptoms, triggering respiratory issues, especially for sensitive individuals.
Indoor air quality can decline rapidly after a painting project, particularly in rooms without proper airflow. Without ventilation, VOC concentrations build up, making living spaces uncomfortable and potentially harmful. Families with young children and individuals with asthma or allergies often feel the effects the most. Choosing safer paint options is a simple yet highly effective way to reduce these risks and promote a healthier home environment. When evaluating products, it’s helpful to understand what level of VOC is safe and how different formulations compare.
How VOC regulations differ across states
The EPA’s VOC reduction goals at the federal level have made strides in reducing air pollution and improving air quality: Since 1990, when the Clean Air Act Amendments were enacted and put forth an ambitious program for reducing air pollution, the national average of the ozone 8-hour concentration has dropped from 0.088 parts per million (ppm) to 0.068 ppm, in line with the most recent national standard. But some states who were already seeing dangerous effects from air pollution took the regulations even further.
The first state to push for more stringent regulations was California, which now has its own Air Resources Board (CARB). For example, the VOC limit on industrial maintenance coatings of 450 grams per liter is lowered to 250 grams per liter in most regions of the state. It is as low as 100 grams per liter in the South Coast region, where L.A. is working hard to reduce its ozone and smog problem.
Other states have followed California’s example and have formed regional air quality groups that work to improve air quality for the region. The groups are CARB, the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO) and the Ozone Transport Committee (OTC). The following states abide by stricter regulations than those set at the federal level, and project managers working on projects in these states should familiarize themselves with the stricter regulations for their next coatings project.
California (CARB)
Illinois (LADCO)
Indiana (LADCO)
Ohio (LADCO)
Michigan (LADCO)
Minnesota (LADCO)
Wisconsin (LADCO)
Pennsylvania (OTC)
Maryland (OTC)
Delaware (OTC)
New Jersey (OTC)
New York (OTC)
Connecticut (OTC)
Rhode Island (OTC)
Massachusetts (OTC)
New Hampshire (OTC)
Maine (OTC)
District of Columbia (OTC)
How to find VOC Information
To find out how many VOCs are in your paint product, take a look at the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) or TDS (Technical Data Sheet) . The number generally accepted for a low – VOC paint is less than 50 grams per liter and for zero-VOC paint is less than 5 grams per liter.
Choosing Low-VOC and Zero-VOC Paints for a Healthier Home
Selecting safer paint begins with understanding the VOC level in paint and how it’s measured. “Low-VOC” paints typically contain fewer than 50 grams per liter, significantly reducing the amount of chemical emissions released into your home. Even better, 0 VOC paint options contain fewer than 5 grams per liter and meet some of the most stringent VOC limits for paints available today. These products not only protect your household’s health but also support eco-friendly practices. Environmentally conscious paints contribute to sustainability by reducing emissions during application and lowering long-term indoor pollution. They also support better air quality overall, benefiting both your family and the planet. As more homeowners prioritize safer living environments, low- and zero-VOC options continue to rise in demand.
Steadfast Painting is committed to using high-quality, eco-conscious products that protect your home and the people in it. Our team understands how overwhelming paint choices can be, which is why we guide you toward healthier, greener solutions for every project. If you’re refreshing one room or repainting your entire home, we ensure your space looks beautiful without compromising your well-being.
Using the right products
For easy checking, most paint can have this information on the side or back of the label. It looks something like this (VOC/COV < 50g/L – 0.42lb/gal) . Most water-based interior products used today are low VOC. These do not pose any serious risks to your health. People that have allergies, asthma, or are sensitive to certain materials, may have some irritation and would benefit from using a zero-VOC product. Zero-VOC products are becoming more popular due to the popular demand, technology to make these products equally as durable as the usual products, and environmental laws and regulations becoming stricter.