One of the most frustrating things about living in someone else’s home is the utter lack of control over my environment. If my in-laws were putting the house up for sale today, the listing would have to read: “needs TLC”. Paint chips off of every painted surface, the kitchen cabinets are splintered, the carpets are threadbare; the windows don’t entirely keep the wind out. Not a single door in the house closes properly.

All these issues wouldn’t be such a big deal if Andrew and I weren’t living here with two infants. But I have to wonder what growing up in these conditions is doing to the health of these tiny, developing humans. How many times can I shoo them away from dipping their curious fingers into the cracks in the plaster walls and from lifting up the linoleum from the corners of the room where it curls up from the floor before I go crazy. I can’t prevent them from crawling all over the ancient carpet, so I have to worry about what they are breathing in, and which chemicals they are being exposed to. To minimize their exposure to chemical fumes, we finally convinced my father-in-law (who lives by the motto that if blue painter’s tape can’t fix, it nothing can) to let us repaint the nursery with zero VOC paint.

VOCs or volatile organic compounds is the stuff that you smell when wet paint is drying, or “off-gassing”. Breathing in VOCs exposes the body to a host of nasty chemicals. And while I’m no expert, I do know that paint without VOCs is recommended for pregnant women and in families with infants. It can’t hurt to eliminate VOCs when painting in a house with pets or with individuals with sensitivities either.

We used AFM zero VOC to paint the baseboards and doors; covering up any lead-bearing paint underneath. Sure enough, there was no detectable odor.

The company is over 25 years old and provides primers, paints in many finishes and stains. Check out their Ayurveda Essence color selection. 108 colors that are skewed energetically. It’s a “healing” collection with each palete meant to be stimulating, calming, uplifting, etc.

AFM Safecoat is sold at Green Depot and Bettencourt in Brooklyn or a dealer near you. Before you run out to buy it for your entire house, FYI: It costs about $38 per gallon.

Now, if only we could replace that relic of a living room carpet….

Author: Brett