Are you considering painting your interior? You may come across the term “low VOC” or “No VOC”. Sounds good, right? But what exactly does that mean? What is VOC? “VOC” stands for “volatile organic compound.” According to the EPA, VOCs organic compounds that are emitted as gases from certain solids and liquids. Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products, including paints and varnished. Furthermore, concentrations of VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. When VOCs are inhaled, they can contribute to various health issues. These problems most commonly include headaches, nausea, irritation of airways, among others. Additionally, VOCs are frequently associated with the odor of paint. Due to these issues, it’s best to use products with low VOCs or low VOCs. Many products these days contain low amounts of VOCs. They will generally be labeled as such. No VOC products do not have any volatile organic compounds. They generally will have much lower odors than other products. Many of these products are well engineered so they offer comparable dry times and durability to other products. One in particular to consider is Sherwin Williams Harmony or Benjamin Moore ben. Make sure to do your research and ask the paint manufacturer or paint company sales representative before choosing the product that’s right for you. Helix Painting is here to answer your questions and help you through the process. Give us a call or book your free estimate now.