Things to Use
Non-Toxic Paints and Finishes
“Non-toxic” is used in the most liberal sense in describing many paints. Even zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints contain small amounts of toxins. Within the interior paint category, there are generally three categories of non to low-toxic paints: Natural, Zero VOC and Low VOC. Natural is the safest, zero VOC second safest, and low VOC third safest when considering applications for children's exhibits or environments.
PAINTS
Natural Paints: Paints made from natural raw ingredients including plant oils, resins, dyes; milk casein, natural latex, beeswax, earth and mineral dyes; and natural minerals like chalk and clay. Water based natural paints are the safest paints for health and the environment.
American Formulating & Manufacturing (AFM)
San Diego , CA
619-239-0321
www.afmsafecoat.com
Bioshield Paint Company
Sante Fe , NM
800-621-2591
www.bioshield.com
- Complete line of natural, water reducible oil finishes and stains. Non-toxic, child safe and pollutant free.
Weather-Bos
Reno , NV
800-664-3978
www.weatherbos.com - Organic paints made using all natural ingredients. Non-toxic.
Livos Phytochemistry, Inc.
Mashpee , MA
508-477-7955
www.livos.com
Milk Paints: Milk paints are completely natural paints made from milk proteins, lime, and natural mineral pigments.
- Organic paint ingredients specially designed for people with multiple chemical sensitivities, pregnant women, children's furniture and toys. Made with lime, clay and earth pigments.
The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company
Groton , MA
866-350-6455
www.milkpaint.com - Non-toxic milk paint in powder form, with large color selection.
Sawyer Finn Natural Milk Paints
Kansas City , MO
816-921-3321
Bioshield Paint Company (Casein Milk Paints)
Sante Fe , NM
800-621-2591
www.bioshield.com
Zero VOC Latex Paints: Any paint with VOC's in the range of 5 grams/litre or less can be called “Zero VOC,” according to EPA standards. Even if a manufacturer calls a product “Zero-VOC,” these paints may still contain fungicides or colorants with some VOC's.
- Zero VOC paint with no formaldehyde or preservatives, no off-gasing. Flat interior latex; semi-gloss interior enamel. For people with chemical sensitivities.
American Formulating & Manufacturing (AFM)
San Diego , CA
619-239-0321
www.afmsafecoat.com
Bioshield Paint Company
Sante Fe , NM
800-621-2591
www.bioshield.com
Low VOC Latex Paints: The actual amount of VOC's varies among different “low VOC” products, but it is required that the true amount be listed on the paint can. To be considered “low VOC”, paints and stains must not contain more than 200 grams of VOC's per liter, while varnishes must not contain more than 300 grams of VOC's per liter. For children's exhibits and environments, or people with chemical sensitivity, it is recommended that you use paints containing less than 25 grams of VOC's per liter.
- Safecoat paint zero-low VOC paint with no formaldehyde or preservatives, no off-gasing. For people with chemical sensitivities.
American Formulating & Manufacturing (AFM)
San Diego , CA
619-239-0321
www.afmsafecoat.com
Bioshield Paint Company
Sante Fe , NM
800-621-2591
www.bioshield.com - Greenguard certified standard for indoor air quality, low VOC's, low odor, 100% acrylic formulation.
Benjamin Moore (Pristine EcoSpec)
Montvale , NJ
888-236-6667
www.benjaminmoore.com - Line of interior latex paints (Harmony brand), low odor, low-VOC, silica free, antimicrobial.
Sherwin Williams Company
Cleveland , OH
216-566-2000
www.sherwin-williams.com
FINISHES
- Pigments
Bioshield Paint Company (Casein Milk Paints)
Sante Fe , NM
800-621-2591
www.bioshield.com - Primers & Trim Paint
American Formulating & Manufacturing (AFM)
San Diego , CA
619-239-0321
www.afmsafecoat.com
Bioshield Paint Company
Sante Fe , NM
800-621-2591
www.bioshield.com - Paint and Finish Thinners and Removers
Livos Phytochemistry, Inc.
Mashpee , MA
508-477-7955
www.livos.com - Stains & Finishes
Livos Phytochemistry, Inc.
Mashpee , MA
508-477-7955
www.livos.com
Bioshield Paint Company
Sante Fe , NM
800-621-2591
www.bioshield.com
American Formulating & Manufacturing
San Diego , CA
619-239-0321
www.afmsafecoat.com - Interior wood finish made of soy and vegetable oil for furniture, cabinets, paneling and flooring.
Velvit Products Co.
Appleton , WI
920-722-8355
www.velvitproducts.com - Complete line of interior linseed oil-based finishes, free of heavy metals, petroleum and VOC's. 100% biodegradable.
Tried & True Wood Finishes
Trumansburg , NY
607-387-9280
www.triedandtruewoodfinish.com
- Complete line of natural, water reducible oil finishes and stains. Non-toxic, child safe and pollutant free.
Weather-Bos
Reno , NV
800-664-3978
www.weatherbos.com - Metal Primer
Low odor, low VOC thermoplastic acrylic emulsion primer w/ rust inhibiting pigments. Designed for non-porous metals, iron, steel, aluminum, galvanized and masonry. Least toxic metal primer on market, formulated without heavy metals and other common chemical hazards.
American Formulating & Manufacturing (AFM)
San Diego , CA
619-239-0321
www.afmsafecoat.com
SEALANTS
If for some reason it is not possible to buy plywood of sheet material that is formaldehyde free, sealants are available that will trap the chemical and prevent it from off-gassing. Interior water-based sealant can be used to reduce toxic off-gassing, for porous surfaces such as particle board, plywood and processed wood. Effective in sealing up to 98% formaldehyde off-gassing in wood. Zero VOC's. Healthy for children and those with chemically sensitivities.
- Plywood Sealant: Multi-use water based, low gloss sealer for porous surfaces like plywood, particle board, and processed wood. Used primarily to reduce toxic formaldehyde off-gassing.
American Formulating & Manufacturing (AFM)
San Diego , CA
619-239-0321
www.afmsafecoat.com - Water based, low VOC sealants, including door & siding sealants .
OSI Sealants, Inc.
Mentor , OH
800-321-3578
www.osisealants.com - Polyurethane
American Formulating & Manufacturing
San Diego , CA
619-239-0321
www.afmsafecoat.com - Waxes: A variety of waxes for wood products, furniture made with no synthetic chemicals. Includes floor wax, hard wax, beeswax, oil wax and drum wax.
Livos Phyochemistry, Inc.
Mashpee , MA
508-477-7955
www.livos.com
Bioshield Paint Company
Sante Fe , NM
800-621-2591
www.bioshield.com - Beeswax: Non-chemically treated, filtered 100% pure beeswax. Beeswax is the only non-petroleum based wax available.
Blossomland
Buchanan , MI
262-695-2310
www.blossomland.com