Paint or Faint
Our 15-year old house had a face lift for the first time. After much deliberations, we have agreed on what colors to paint which rooms. Our next big question was - what type of paint to use! I searched the net primarily because we are on budget. I found out interesting information worth sharing:
—there are two types of paints- oil-based and water-based.
—oil-based paints include enamels, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, stains and sealers. If solvents like paint thinner or mineral spirits must be used for cleanup, your paint is oil-based.
—water-based paints are latex paints. If water can be used for cleanup, you have a latex paint.
Off we went to several hardware stores to look for the paint our budget could afford. Latex paints obviously hurt the pockets but at least are friendlier to the environment than oil-based paints. We settled for latex because its worth the investment. There’s another thing exciting about this face lifting job. Not only do you learn to budget but you get to disturb the workers to teach you the basics of painting walls with roller brush.
Our next big problem was disposal of unused paint. We know that paint is hazardous because it contains chemicals, such as solvents and metals, that can harm the environment and endanger human health if not disposed properly. The net has been helpful again in solving this problem. These are what I learned :
—paint should never be poured down the drain because many chemicals in it can’t be treated by sewage treatment or septic systems… If this happens, the untreated chemicals could be discharged into lakes, streams or groundwater and cause contamination.
—Liquid paint should never be thrown in the trash. Eventually, household trash is compacted, which will release paint from the can. In a landfill, the paint will be carried by water seeping through the garbage and could easily contaminate groundwater.
—and of course, paint should never be dumped on the ground.
But the more useful information I got is evaporating paint for safe disposal. Below are the instructions. Only then can you place the old paint in the trash:
Evaporating paint for safe disposal
If you prefer, you can evaporate leftover or unusable paint by following the instructions below. Only then can you place the old paint in the trash.
1. Find an area that’s protected from open flame, children, pets and rain, but that has adequate ventilation. A locked, screened porch is ideal, although a well-ventilated garage or shed may be suitable. When evaporating oil-based paint or varnish, proper ventilation is especially important to prevent solvent fume buildup, which is a fire and health hazard.
2. Remove the lid and allow the liquids (either water or solvents) to evaporate. You may need to periodically break the “skin” that forms on the top of the liquid. This works well for small quantities, such as an inch or two in the bottom of a can. Larger quantities of paint take longer to dry out and may require other methods (see below).
3. When thoroughly dry, the remaining hardened material can be discarded with your regular trash. Leave the lid off the can so your trash hauler can see that the paint is hardened.
Depending on the type and amount of paint you have, the drying process can take from several days to several months. The process can be shortened by using one or more of the following methods. Remember to always work in a safe, well-ventilated area.
1. Paint excess amounts of paint on cardboard or newspaper to use it up.
2. Pour thin layers (about 1 inch) of paint into a cardboard box lined with plastic. Allow the paint to dry one layer at a time until all of the paint is hardened.
3. For paint that has separated and can’t be mixed, pour off the clear liquid on top, leaving the semisolid paint sludge in the can to dry. The clear liquid can be poured into a cardboard box lined with plastic, mixed with an equal amount of absorbent material, such as kitty litter, and allowed to dry. Then it can be discarded.
4. Some types of oil paints and stains may be difficult to dry out in the can. These can also be mixed with kitty litter in a cardboard box lined with plastic and then allowed to dry before disposal.
source: http://www.co.larimer.co.us/solidwaste/Publications/paint.pdf
I also found out that a local paint company has come up with a new type of environment-friendly paint that addresses other issues aside from noxious fumes. This paint company explained that up to now, the focus of eco-friendly paints was to minimize the negative effects on human health and the environment by limiting levels of volatile organic compounds(VOCs), and prohibiting the use of hazardous chemicals. With this new paint, the company claims they have an ecoactive technology that’s constantly working to clean the air. In effect, it transforms any painted surface ito an air purifying device. According to their information, one of the most fatal air polutants health wise are nitrogen oxides (NOx). Nitrogen oxides (NOx) is the generic term for a group of highly reactive gasses which contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts. Activated by Cristal Nanotechmology, this new paint is is based on nano sized titanium dioxide,which acts as photocatalyst, trigggering certain chemical reactions stimulated by light. Through this process, toxic emissions are broken down into harmless substances in an environmentally safe process. ( Maybe we should have a field trip to this company to explain to us all these chemical reactions, which for now seems a bit complex to me).
I will not reveal the name of the company otherwise I’ll be be accused of advertising and patronizing which is not the purpose of this blog.
Remember to choose your paint carefully lest you faint from the effects of harmful chemicals.
