The environmental impact of paint is diverse. Traditional painting materials and processes can have harmful effects on the environment, including those from the use of lead and other additives. Measures can be taken to reduce environmental impact, including accurately estimating paint quantities so that wastage is minimized, use of paints, coatings, painting accessories and techniques that are environmentally preferred.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines and Green Star ratings are some of the standards that can be applied.
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Volatile organic compounds are gases emitted by various solids or liquids, many of which have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Solvents in traditional paints often contain high quantities of VOCs. Paints that are low in VOCs [1]) improve indoor air quality and reduce urban smog.[2] The beneficial characteristics of such green paints include: low odor, clean air formula, safer technology, as well as excellent durability, and a washable finish.
Low-VOC paint types include: Latex (water based), recycled latex (water based), acrylic, and milk paint.[3]
The labels of paint cans can be checked for the following information:
In the US, items containing toxic ingredients will have registration numbers with either the:
Anti-fouling paint (or bottom paint) is used to protect the hulls of boats from fouling by marine organisms. Anti-fouling paint protects the surface from corrosion and prevents drag on the ship from any build up of marine organisms. These paints have contained organotin compounds such as tributyltin (TBT) compounds which are considered to be toxic chemicals which have negative effects on humans and the environment.[5] Tributyltin compounds are moderately to highly persistent organic pollutants that bioconcentrate up the marine predators' food chain. One common example is leaching of TBT from marine paints into the aquatic environment, causing irreversible damage to the aquatic life. Tributyltin has also been linked to obesity in humans, as it triggers genes that cause the growth of fat cells.[6]
TBT is harmful to some marine organisms, including the dog whelk. TBT causes dog whelks to suffer from imposex: females develop male sexual characteristics such as a penis.[7] This causes them to become infertile or even die. In severe cases males can develop egg sacs.
Alternatives to TBT include biomimetic antifouling coatings and ePaint.
Heavy metals are used in paints and it has raised concerns due to their toxicity at high levels of exposure and since they build up in the food chain.
Lead paint is paint containing lead as pigment. Lead is also added to paint to speed drying, increase durability, retain a fresh appearance, and resist moisture that causes corrosion. Paint with significant lead content is still used in industry and by the military. For example, leaded paint is sometimes used to paint roadways and parking lot lines. Lead is a poisonous metal that can damage nervous connections (especially in young children) and cause blood and brain disorders. Because of its low reactivity and solubility, lead poisoning usually only occurs in cases when the lead is dispersed, like when sanding lead based paint prior to repainting.
Primer paint containing hexavalent chromium is still widely used for aerospace and automobile refinishing applications. Zinc chromate has been used as a pigment for artists paint, known as Zinc Yellow or Yellow 36. It is highly toxic and now rarely used.
As a response to the environmental and health concerns some paint manufacturers now offer environmentally friendly alternatives. Also, in some countries paint recycling is be carried out on surplus paints and resold.
Products like ECOBOND LBP are available to treat lead. Ecobond can chemically change lead to make it less leechable and therefore easier on the environment.
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