Paints

There are many different types and grades of paint available to suit the various applications that paint is used for, both interior and exterior.

Although these paints offer a variety of properties the same four basic components are present in them all:

  1. Liquid provides desired consistency – a solvent, water or oil base
  2. Pigment to provide colour
  3. Binder for adhesion and film integrity
  4. Additives that provide specific paint properties such as mildew resistance, de-foaming and good flow and leveling

Other ingredients include fungicides and chemical preservatives.

Potential side-effects from these paints include headaches, nausea and wheezing. These side effects on our health diminish as the paint dries because as the paint liquid dries, the ingredients disperse into the air as a gas. The side effects linger, however, as the gases enter the atmosphere adding to the pollution problems.

A number of paint companies have begun making better, non-synthetic paints. Natural paints, for example, are made with citrus-oil solvents rather than petrochemicals. They are solvent free, odourless and manufactured using organic products.

It is now possible to buy paints with ingredients sourced from a huge variety of materials including plants, casein made from milk protein, chalk, lime and clay.