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Understanding Paint Fumes

Conventional Paint Fumes

As conventional paint dries, the chemicals that keep it in its liquid form start to evaporate into the air, leading to that all-too-familiar "new paint" smell. Since most paints contain less than 50% solids, a considerable amount of gas often gets released into a freshly painted room.

Chemical Emissions

Conventional paints contain many potentially harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, xylenes, and glycols. These, and other VOCs, are used to simplify the paint manufacturing process, and make it more cost effective to manufacture.

Health Effects

The health issues conventional paint fumes can cause range from mild to potentially life-threatening. Common health effects include: irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; rashes; nausea; headaches; dizziness; fatigue; and memory impairment. Some chemicals in conventional paints are known carcinogens, while others can lead to long-term damage of the nervous system, liver, and kidneys.

How Long Does Paint Off-Gas?

Some believe that the off-gassing process – when fumes release into the air – reduces after several days, but some conventional products can emit harmful fumes for many weeks. The amount of ventilation plays a role in how long paint fumes persist, but most people can’t leave a room unoccupied while they wait for it to air out.

The ECOS Difference

Our goal is to offer our customers a better option. 35 years ago, we developed a proprietary technology, one that avoided chemicals that cause people health issues, but that still produced a premium quality paint. At ECOS, we believe paint shouldn't come with a health warning, an evacuation notice, or cautionary tales. Our products deliver best-in-class appearance and enhanced durability - with no harsh fumes or odors.*