The paint industry has developed myriad chemicals to enhance the product shelf life, color, texture and other properties. Currently, these paints are made from a few chemicals that are especially suited for this industry. Many of these are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which vaporize as soon as they are exposed to the atmosphere. They also contain heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and chromium. VOCs such as ethyl acetate, glycol ethers, and acetone are organic chemicals that are mainly used as solvents for conventional paints. Once they enter into the air we inhale, they can gain entry into our lungs and create a toxic effect on our bodies. The odor emanating from these paints can also be quite suffocating.
