For many women, a natural part of having a baby is “nesting,” which is preparing for the arrival of the new baby. The nursery is a big part of nesting, and painting is often central to the plan. Between your ongoing pregnancy and the importance of protecting mom and baby from dangerous toxins, painting should be done with caution. Fortunately, there are ways to accomplish eco-friendly painting of your new nursery so that harmful chemicals will not be released into the room where your baby will sleep.
Low-VOC and Zero-VOC Paint Only
All paints have chemicals. Among those chemicals are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause the following health problems:
- Damage to the nervous system, liver, and kidney
- Respiratory illness
- Memory impairment
- Irritation of the nose, ears, and eyes
- Headaches
- Loss of coordination
- Nausea
Low-VOC and zero-VOC paints are eco-friendly and far safer than paints with high VOC content. Since even the VOC-free and low-VOC paints still contain certain chemicals, the safest paint to buy is from a reputable company. Some paints have a certification from Green Seal or the Greenguard Environmental Institute, which can be considered a reliable recommendation. These certifications mean not only that the paint is indeed Zero-VOC or no-VOC paint but also that it is low-emitting once it has been applied.
The purpose of adding harmful VOCs to paint is to provide better binding, and that’s the reason several additional coats of paint are sometimes needed when you use low-VOC or no-VOC paint.
Experts say these eco-friendly paints with fewer or no VOCs are definitely safer for pregnant women, children, and anyone who has a weakened immune system.
What to Do Before Painting the Nursery
There are some steps that should be taken no matter what kind of paint is being used for an interior paint job. Even without the worry over VOCs, the types of chemicals that can still be found in paint include aluminum hydroxide, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, and pyrithione zinc. Inhaling these chemicals is obviously not advisable.
The moral of the story is to circulate the air when painting. Ventilation should be in place before painting starts. Open windows, turn on ceiling fans, or set up a box fan. Just make sure the air is circulating and has somewhere else to go besides the area being painted. In addition, wear a mask, for added protection.
Another step before painting the nursery, if you are an expectant mother, is to hire a professional painter or enlist someone else to do the nursery painting work. Some experts say it’s too risky for a pregnant woman to paint. Others would recommend using the Zero-VOC or low-VOC paint, make sure the nursery is well-ventilated, wear protective clothing and a quality paint respirator, and take frequent breaks during which you get some fresh air.
Contact Knowledgeable Paint Professionals
Contact Knowledgeable Paint ProfessionalsWhether you would like expert advice on a paint color, a type of eco-friendly paint to use in your baby’s nursery, or some other topic, feel free to contact the paint professionals at Franklin Painting. They know the differences between high-VOC paints and those that have few or no VOCs, and they can even offer tips from a design expert. Contact Franklin Painting at 877-646-7774. Getting your baby’s nursery done right is the perfect nesting activity and an excellent way to gain greater peace of mind.
Frank Campanelli, the esteemed founder of Franklin Painting LLC, has been leading the company since 1986. He takes immense pride in the stellar reputation his dedicated team has built by consistently delivering top-notch service to each customer.
