Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). People today just don't want them. VOCs present in paints, carpets, adhesives and other products are a detriment to indoor air quality and human health. In response to the ever-increasing movement away from high-VOC home products and towards those with low or no VOCs, several organizations have developed certification standards (not to mention, visible logos) for products that meet low-VOC criteria.
Among those certifications are Green Seal and LEED building standards. Green Seal certifies the product itself, and LEED awards points for the use of low-VOC products that meet set standards. For most consumers buying paint off the shelf, the Green Seal logo will be the most familiar and trustworthy symbol. Although some states, most notably California, already have or are considering standards that would limit VOC quantities in paints and other products. For carpet purchases, consumers and suppliers can look to the Green Label or Green Label Plus logo to verify a low- or zero-VOC product.
Products which now commonly come with VOC information include paints, carpet, adhesives, plywood and particle board, pesticides, cleaning supplies, markers, office equipment and more. VOCs are prevalent in products with organic solvents, such as methylene chloride, benzene, and perchloroethylene (dry cleaning), among others. Check out the following list of products. They achieved at least a low-VOC rating and are increasingly available in stores or from building material suppliers.
Products, Materiels, Homes and Manufacturers related to Low VOC
The Westside Road project, by architects Dowling Kimm Studios, is a magnificent gem of a home set atop a hill overlooking woods the Russian... Continue Reading »
Anytime you get into a discussion about primers, sealants and paints with an environmentally conscious individual, you’re bound to get some... Continue Reading »
Since the company’s beginnings in 2003, InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles have been marketed as a customizable floor covering that allows ... Continue Reading »
"No Trees Ever Cut Down" Natural Cork, part of the US Floors product line, offers a wide variety of sustainable flooring products made... Continue Reading »
Rubio's Monocoat comes from the collaboration of experienced laboratory teams in the hardwood industry. By closely working together, the... Continue Reading »
Helping the Environment One Coating at a Time The Workhorse Interior line comes in four options: flat, eggshell, semi-gloss and... Continue Reading »
Visions Paint Recycling Inc. was founded in 2000 as a blender of post-consumer latex paint and mis-tinted paints from major manufacturers.... Continue Reading »
Rust-Oleum, part of RPM Inc., was founded in 1921 and has since become a household name. ... Continue Reading »
Arco Pure is an acrylic latex, zero-VOC paint that also contains antimicrobial protection for mold and mildew resistance. The Arco Pure... Continue Reading »
Earth-friendly rugs for all rooms in the house! Carpets are often inconspicuous culprits in poor indoor air quality--with synthetic... Continue Reading »
Maybe caulking and sealants are not the sexiest part of green building, but as my green architect friend pointed out, good, efficient glazes... Continue Reading »
Just when you think you’ve seen the absolute best eco-floor available to mankind, something else comes along and tips the charts. That’s the... Continue Reading »
The company was established in 1964 and has put out innovative, resilient flooring products ever since. Amitco’s two other lines, Amtico... Continue Reading »
Eco-friendly sustainable products aren’t just good for the environment - they’re good for the health and safety of the people who... Continue Reading »
Neil Kelly has been in the green cabinet business since 1966, but through a partnership with Koch, their green products are now reaching... Continue Reading »
The days of bland drywall and boring finishes are over. While many home designers and interior experts are still trying to get creative... Continue Reading »
Most carpet is not biodegradable. Each year, millions of old bolts of carpet are ripped up from the floors of American homes and sent to... Continue Reading »
Your home should be both beautiful and safe to live in. Low-emission materials, minimal environmental disturbance and effective global... Continue Reading »
Kirei USA is located in Solana Beach, CA and has been creating stylish, sustainable, green products since 2003. They offer three other product... Continue Reading »
For new designer wood materials to work with on your next project, keep an eco-friendly eye open for products that don’t contain toxins.... Continue Reading »
Brightening your walls with paint is one of the few home improvements that can be done quickly and inexpensively. But the hazards of... Continue Reading »
Traditional wood finishes contain volatile organic solvents (VOCs) and other toxic chemicals that pose health and environmental safety... Continue Reading »
I have to admit, when I hear the expression ‘milk paint,’ it conjures up kitchen concoctions for the kids to use for artwork (or eating... Continue Reading »