Jane Powerson painting
Imagine that you are in the DIY shop choosing paint. You come across an Irish brand that boasts that it is lead-free. Sounds good - especially when the British competitor makes no such claim. Naturally, you opt for the Irish, earning double green brownie points: for buying local and for choosing an environmentally- superior product. But hold on a second. Local it may be, but the Irish paint's "lead-free" message is no more than a bit of beguiling greenwash. Lead has been banned in paint for years, so the British product doesn't include it either. In the UK, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) notes that "lead-free" claims, while literally true are likely to be misinterpreted, and therefore misleading and should not be made.
Nonetheless, while conventional paint does not now include lead, it contains many other ingredients that cause committed environmentalists to choose more ecologically-sound products. The usual tin of paint on the shelves of the DIY outlet fails to pass the green test on at least three counts: many of the key ingredients are derived from petrochemicals, a non-renewable resource; considerable waste is generated in the manufacturing process; and certain of the constituents can be hazardous to human health.
Among the latter are artificial resins, fungicides such as formaldehyde, and solvents that include toluene, xylene, glycol and ketones. Some of these chemicals - especially the solvents - may be noxious while paint is being applied, while some also continue to be harmful afterwards. "Offgassing", where volatile compounds are released into the air, may occur for years, and cause or exacerbate health problems such as asthma. In the case of fire, conventional paints can produce toxic fumes.
All of the above are persuasive reasons for choosing natural paints made from less harmful substances such as casein (milk protein), plant oils, beeswax, cellulose, shellac, clay, citrus peel oil, and mineral and earth pigments. As well as being manufactured from renewable resources (with the exception of the pigments), such paints are less chemically complex, so are less likely to cause allergies. Nevertheless, they should always be applied with good ventilation. Citrus peel oil, for instance, smells like a particularly yummy liqueur but too much can leave you a little woozy and headachy.
Natural paints tend to be be porous, meaning that they are less likely to peel or bubble, and they also allow the wall underneath to breathe, creating a more healthy and stable atmosphere. They are more expensive per litre than conventional paints, but have better coverage, and may last longer. Leftover paint presents no disposal problems, because - and this is my favourite bit - it can be composted. Natural paint brands available in Ireland include Auro (www.healthbuild.ie for stockists), Nutshell (www.eco.shop.ie) and Aglaia (www.traditionallime.com).