If you grew up in the 1970s you probably learned the motto: “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute.” Now as parents and homeowners you may want to go a step beyond recycling empty containers.
Environmental concerns now include indoor as well as outside air quality.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside a home is, on average, two to five times more polluted than the air outside. Paint is a large contributing factor to poor indoor air quality. It can emit harmful chemicals even years after application.
Find out what's happening in Croftonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
One way you can help eliminate this problem in your home is to choose environmentally-preferred paints. Not only are the better for our health and planet but are low in odor as well. You can achieve great painting results and still be mindful of the environment by picking paints that have little or no chemical out-gassing.
“These paints are ideal in children's rooms. Many pregnant moms come into our store looking for durable paint that is low in odor and still has long-term durability,” said Greg Spaulding, manager of Crofton’s Sherwin Williams store.
Find out what's happening in Croftonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Spaulding also said their "Harmony" paint type will provide maximum performance which means you don’t have to paint as often. Plus, it has the highest indoor air quality.
“We choose to go with a eco-friendly paint because it allowed us to use the rooms while we were painting. There wasn’t a smell. Plus, we don’t have to worry about what chemicals are trapped in our house,” says Maria Milton, mother of two. She explained that her and her husband recently purchased an older home in Odenton and was looking for paint for her children’s bedrooms and their bathroom. Milton says they were able to purchase eco-friendly paint that was not only mildew-resistant but also matched their existing color.
Spaulding offers some advice on painting with the environment in mind:
- Seal the paint tightly. Unused paint should be stored in tightly sealed cans and placed upside down to maintain the seal.
- Don’t clean tools on multi-day projects. Instead wrap tools in a plastic bag. They will
- Dispose of paint properly. Never pour leftover paint down the drain.
According to Anne Arundel County Waste Management a collection of Household Hazardous Waste will be collect on April 7th at the Millersville Landfill on Burnings Crossing Road in Severn. On June 18th paints can be taken to the Glen Burnie Convenience Center at 100 Dover Road.
“I can wait to see my bedroom. I picked pink because I like princesses,” says five year old Abby Milton.