toxins

The Dark Side to Paint Products

How to Avoid Those Toxic Paint Fumes

Renovating or painting your home can be an exciting experience, but have you ever considered the dangers behind simply repainting your living room? Most paints contain Volatile Organic Compounds, also known as VOCs, which evaporate as the paint dries afterwards. VOCs are added to the paint or lacquer typically to act as solvents and can have serious impacts on human health. Oil-based paints are worse than water-based paints, but ordinary water based paints can still bel an issue.

Health implications for VOC exposure depend upon the type of compound, its concentration and your length of exposure to it, and can result in the following:

  • Nose, eye and throat irritation
  • Headaches
  • Loss of coordination
  • Nausea
  • Kidney and liver damage
  • Damage to the central nervous system
  • Immune system damage

Some VOCS are known carcinogens, meaning that inhaling them is likely to increase your risk of cancer.

Whilst there are a range of serious health conditions that can result from exposure to paints (being a painter is a UN recognised hazardous occupation known as ‘Painter’s Syndrome’) , there are several alternative products on the market which are low VOC and provide safe alternatives. For those who wish to further reduce the presence of VOCs and other toxins in paints you purchase refer to Ecospecifier (www.ecospecifier.com.au). Some examples of low VOC paints include:

 

Livos AustraliaLivios Australia

Livos offer a range of low VOC plant-based oils, coatings and treatments for interior and exterior wall, floor and timber applications. Unlike conventional coatings, LIVOS oils impregnate and protect the surface of timber, rather than creating a plastic coating on top. This allows for easy rejuvenation with no sanding required, the rejuvenation process is quick and simple to carry out if or when required.

Dduluxprofessionalulux Professional Enviro2

Dulux provides a low VOC topcoat paint making it a safer product for indoor use in your home. Whilst there is still VOCs present, they are at a very low concentration, <1g/L untinted. This product has been Ecospecifier verified and provides a detailed toxicity analysis on the Ecospecifier website.

 

 

The Dangers of Renovating an Old Home

renopainting

Renovating your home may come with potential health pitfalls, especially if your home was painted before 1970. Walls that were painted prior to this may be toxic due to the presence of lead-based paint. Lead paint, even in the smallest concentration, poses a great risk to human and animal health. While undisturbed well maintained lead painted walls pose minimal risk to human health; however once disturbed the paint scraped from lead painted walls becomes hazardous. This is especially so if flame or high temperature heat guns are used to remove it.

Resulting lead laden flakes and dust can spread throughout the house and garden. Removing the paint through dry sanding or by using power tools can create lead dust that can be inhaled or implanted into fabrics around the home, such as in carpets or furniture. Lead dust deposited around the family home poses future health risks and is extremely difficult to remove. This poses a great risk to young children who frequently put their hands inside their mouths and can absorb and retain higher concentrations of lead in comparison to adults. Lead is especially detrimental to the neurological development of children.

Lead is toxic in both low and high concentrations. Exposure can occur through inhalation or digestion. Effects of lead poisoning from low levels of concentration include:

  • Muscle pains and fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Coma
  • Fatigue
  • Stomach pains
  • Seizures
  • Anaemia
  • Miscarriage
Effects from high levels of lead poisoning may include:
  • Brain damage
  • Severe kidney damage
  • Reduced fertility in males
  • Cardiovascular issues
  • Cognitive damage in young children

If your home was, built before 1970, it is recommended that you arrange to conduct tests to confirm the presence or non-presence of lead so that the proper steps can be taken to minimise exposure if needed .

There are a couple of different ways to test for lead paint:

  • Colour change tests which are available from hardware stores although these are not 100% accurate
  • DIY-Sampling Lab Lead Analysis Kits which can be purchased online from http://www.leadsafeworld.com/solutions/lead-group-diy-sampling-lab-analysis-lead-test-kits/ this kit will provide instructions on how to conduct the test which is then analysed by a registered laboratory
  • Hire a professional who will use a portable X-ray fluorescence machine to determine the presence of lead. This is a non-invasive way to inspect the paint in your home.

If it is found that there is lead present in the paint on your walls it is recommended that:

  • Professionals are hired to safely remove the paint
  • If the paint is in good condition you are able to paint over it if you prefer not to remove it
  • If you choose to remove the paint yourself;
    • Seek professional advice on how to best remove the paint
    • Do not sandblast or dry scrape the walls
    • If removing paint outside do not do so on a wet or windy day
    • Remove children and pregnant women from the area
  • In the future choose paints that have been certified and verified for having low toxicity, such as those found listed with Ecospecifier (www.ecospecifier.com.au)

Explore more about the product ranges that have been eco-certified and listed by Ecospecifier, by using The Product Search Engine on Ecospecifier Global

Join us in more conversations about green products and sustainability issues on our social media pages:

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The Sick Building Syndrome

Are you breathing toxic air?

A “sick” building is a structure, or room, that has become contaminated with harmful elements or chemicals.

’Sick building syndrome’ (SBS) is a concept that refers to a variety of illnesses that occupants may develop due to exposure to in- building pollution.

Indoor pollution can cause serious health risks although can generally easily be avoided.

A building’s health may be decreased over either a short or prolonged period of time from a variety of causes including:

– External pollution

– Mould and mildew or,

– Product emissions.

Poorly selected finishes in products like fittings and furniture can release gaseous toxins over a period of time, resulting in a prolonged period where a building can be classified as “sick”.

Additionally, certain activities may result in the release of toxins that decrease the health of a building, such as cleaning with products are made with compounds containing volatile toxins.

Health impacts from exposure to a sick building may depend upon a person’s age and health or sensitivity to certain compounds, as well as the level of exposure to a potentially hazardous environment.

The commonly accepted short-term health issues associated to ‘sick building syndrome’ include:

  • Skin, eye and throat irritation
  • Headaches
  • Drowsiness
  • Allergic reactions and asthma

Common long-term health impacts related to the sick building syndrome concept include:

  • Cancer
  • Respiratory disease
  • Heart disease

SICK BUILDING CHECKLIST

A wide variety of factors can reduce the health of a building, below are just a few examples to consider as causes:

  • Biological contaminants such as bacteria, moulds, mildew and house dust mites can cause a range of health effects including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma
  • Stoves, heaters, fireplaces and chimneys can all release carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, along with a range of other particles, which may impact your health by interfering with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body, irritating the mucous membranes in the eye, nose and throat or cause lung and tissue damage.
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be released from everyday household products, including carpets and paint, and have the potential to cause a range of health effects including irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, immune deficiency, asthma, headaches, liver and kidney damage and potentially cause cancer
  • Benzene may be present in household products including glues, adhesives, cleaning products and art supplies and may result in a range of health impacts ranging from skin and eye irritation to leukaemia
  • Formaldehyde a toxic chemical present in building materials, clothing and even cosmetics! The health effects of formaldehyde exposure range from nasal and eye irritation to liver and kidney damage
  • Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in plastic products and can act as an endocrine disrupter posing significant health risks especially to the development of young children and babies.

HEALTHY BUILDING ACTION CHECKLIST

Whilst the potential health risks from building products and home fixtures can depend on a wide variety of personal and external factors, there are various steps that can be taken in order to improve the health of a building and reduce any associated health risks:

  • Choose products from a reliable source like the Ecospecifier website (ecospecifier.com.au) which only lists third party certified and verified products that have passed health and eco-toxicity assessments
  • Install weather stripping and caulking to seal the home – this can help to reduce the amount of pollution entering your home and reducing indoor air quality.
  • Prevent and manage issues related to the dampness of a building to avoid the presence of mould in order to decrease the risk of being exposed to hazardous microbes;
  • Eliminate smoking indoors.
  • Ensure adequate indoor ventilation.
  • Avoid products that contain formaldehyde or benzene.
  • Look for Low-VOC paints
  • Buy solid wood, hardboard or exterior grade plywood instead of pressed wood products;
  • Regulate room temperature and humidity to decrease the amount of VOCs emitted;
  • Choose plastic products that are BPA free.
  • Use only third party certified health-safe cleaning products.

Explore more about the product ranges that have been certified and listed by Ecospecifier, by using the Product Search Engine on Ecospecifier Global: http://www.ecospecifier.com.au

Join us in more conversations about green products and sustainability issues on our social media pages:

Follow Ecospecifier on Facebook

Follow Ecospecifier on Twitter

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Join our Social Media Honour Roll – support the switch to green products

Like, Comment and Share our blogs and posts on your social media pages … and we will send your name out to more than 15,000 subscribers via our monthly Ecospecifier Global Newsletter.

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Endocrine Disrupters in Everyday Products

Knowledge is important to have these days to be on the alert for lurking chemicals hidden within everyday products.

For instance, has it ever occurred to you that a plastic water bottle or a children’s lunch box could release toxic chemicals into the food or drink held inside or, that you could absorb a hormone disrupting chemical from shop receipts printed on some thermal papers?

Products that contain these toxic chemicals can interfere with your endocrine system, hence why they are called “endocrine disruptors”. In short, these chemicals have the ability to mimic or alter normal hormonal functioning and can potentially result in:

  • a reduction in fertility of males;
  • a decrease in the number of male babies born;
  • fertility problems in females;
  • increases in diseases, such as immune and autoimmune diseases and some cancers (especially breast cancer);
  • alter the onset of puberty;
  • increase in the prevalence of obesity.

Critically, those at the greatest risk from the negative health impacts from endocrine disruptors are children, including unborn babies. This is because young children are still developing and endocrine disrupters have the potential to impact upon:

  • physical, neurological and  reproductive development;
  • behaviour problems, such as hyperactivity or aggression.

There are a variety of chemicals found in household items, which have the potential to act as endocrine disrupters and can cause serious health impacts, including:

  • Bisphenol A – also known as BPA which is used in plastic products such as food and drink containers and has the potential to leach into the food or drink contained inside, entering the human body;
  • Phthalates – such as Di(2-ethylhexylphthalate) (DEHP) used within some food packaging, children’s products (although banned in children’s toys in Australia they may still be in some imported products illegally) and some polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products;
  • Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) – used to increase a product’s resistance to stains and water, including some food packaging and increasing the water resistance of clothing.

Whilst there is evidence that indicate that these chemicals can act as endocrine disrupters and cause health issues, they can still be found in everyday products.

Checklist – Everyday Toxic Substances To Avoid

There are many products that contain toxic chemicals, some of which can result in long term adverse health impacts, many of which you are unlikely to be aware of.

These chemicals include DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexylphthalate)), BPA (Bisphenol A), which can be found in plastic toys, food or drink containers, and Perfluorinated chemicals which can be found in clothing and textiles as an additive to increase stain and waterproof resistance.

BPA is used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, both of which are found in common household items. Common polycarbonate plastic items include food and beverage containers such as baby and water bottles, and epoxy resins are used as the protective linings for some canned foods and beverages and can also be found in some thermal shop receipt papers and some epoxy flooring products.

BPA has the potential to leach from the plastic containers into the food and beverages held inside. There are mixed reports on the effects of BPA plastic, particularly at what levels BPA becomes toxic.

Several studies have indicated that BPA as an endocrine disruptor, can affect developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune systems and some recent studies show novel ultra-low level impacts not known previously. Young children, and unborn babies, are at highest risk as their organs and neural systems are still developing.

One study in particular, undertaken by researchers at the University of California Berkeley, showed that BPA can alter the thyroid hormone levels in newborn baby boys which impacted postnatal growth and brain development.

Whilst there is controversy surrounding some of these chemicals, evidence indicates that they have the potential to cause great harm to human health.

However, the good news is that you can make informed choices to avoid any potential health implications from products containing these chemicals. For those wishing to avoid exposure, you can:

  • Choose products that are free from harmful toxins and these can be found on our own extensive Product Search Database on www.ecospecifier.com.au.
  • Purchase BPA-free products, such as baby bottles and food containers.
  • Avoid or reduce eating foods from cans.
  • Choose glass, porcelain or stainless steel over using plastic containers.
  • Avoid heating food or liquids in plastic containers.
  •  Avoid placing hot food in plastic cling wrap.
  •  When purchasing plastic product check the label or contact the manufacturer to ensure that it is free from BPA and phthalates.

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Explore more about the product ranges that have been certified and listed by Ecospecifier, by using the Product Search Engine on Ecospecifier Global: http://www.ecospecifier.com.au

Join us in more conversations about green products and sustainability issues on our social media pages:

Follow Ecospecifier on Facebook

Follow Ecospecifier on Twitter 

Follow Ecospecifier on LinkedIn

Join our Social Media Honour Roll – support the switch to green products

Like, Comment and Share our blogs and posts on your social media pages … and we will send your name out to more than 15,000 subscribers via our monthly Ecospecifier Global Newsletter.

See which stellar individuals, businesses and networks made the latest Honour Roll on Twitter and Facebook HERE We salute you in helping us educate and help more people #MaketheSwitch to #EcoResponsible products.

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References

BISPHENOL A (BPA) – Current state of knowledge and future actions by WHO and FAO. (2009).International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN), 5. 

Bisphenol-a-europe.org, (2014). Bisphenol A – How much BPA does a typical person take in through a normal diet?. [online] Available at: http://www.bisphenol-a-europe.org/en_GB/How-much-BPA-does-a-typical-person-take-in-through-a-normal-diet [Accessed 11 Sep. 2014].

 Ecospecifier.com.au, (2014). EcoSpecifier: Understanding Toxicity. [online] Available at: http://www.ecospecifier.com.au/knowledge-green/articles/understanding-toxicity.aspx [Accessed 11 Sep. 2014].

Environmental Working Group, (2014). Dirty Dozen List of Endocrine Disruptors. [online] Available at: http://www.ewg.org/research/dirty-dozen-list-endocrine-disruptors [Accessed 22 Sep. 2014].

Foodstandards.gov.au, (2014). Bisphenol A (BPA). [online] Available at: http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/chemicals/bpa/Pages/default.aspx [Accessed 11 Sep. 2014].

Kang, J., Kondo, F. and Katayama, Y. (2006). Human exposure to bisphenol A. Toxicology, 226(2), pp.79–89.

 Msdssearch.dow.com, (2014). [online] Available at: http://msdssearch.dow.com/PublishedLiteratureDOWCOM/dh_08b1/0901b803808b19e8.pdf?filepath=productsafety/pdfs/noreg/233-00250.pdf&fromPage=GetDoc [Accessed 11 Sep. 2014].

Manikkam, M., Tracey, R., Guerrero-Bosagna, C. and Skinner, M. (2013). Plastics Derived Endocrine Disruptors (BPA, DEHP and DBP) Induce Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance of Obesity, Reproductive Disease and Sperm Epimutations. PLoS ONE, [online] 8(1), p.e55387. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0055387 [Accessed 22 Sep. 2014].

Niehs.nih.gov, (2014). Endocrine Disruptors. [online] Available at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/ [Accessed 11 Sep. 2014].

Niehs.nih.gov, (2014). Environmental Factor – November 2012: Bisphenol A linked to lower thyroid hormone levels in newborn boys. [online] Available at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2012/11/science-bpa/index.htm [Accessed 11 Sep. 2014].

Sciencenews.org, (2014). FDA bans BPA in baby bottles, cups | Science News. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-public/fda-bans-bpa-baby-bottles-cups [Accessed 11 Sep. 2014]. 

Vandenberg, L., Hauser, R., Marcus, M., Olea, N. and Welshons, W. (2007). Human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA). Reproductive Toxicology, 24(2), pp.139–177.