| For many families who are expecting, remodeling | | | | remodeling a home is paint, and much of it is, |
| will be part of getting the nursery ready for the | | | | unfortunately, quite toxic. Traditional paints can |
| new baby. Yet to go about this in a "green" way, | | | | off-gas toxic VOC's for weeks and months after |
| one first has to consider the health of the | | | | application. There are a number of greener |
| pregnant woman. There are some health issues | | | | solutions for paint including natural milk based |
| to be aware of before beginning a remodeling | | | | paints and low-voc latex paints. Unless you are |
| project. Of concern are the hazards of tearing | | | | using very natural milk or clay based paints, it's |
| down existing structures, of traditional | | | | best for pregnant women to leave the painting to |
| construction materials, and of paint and furniture. | | | | others. Even alternative paint choices can still |
| First, tearing down existing walls, especially in old | | | | create significant air quality issues, especially after |
| houses, can expose families to chemical residues | | | | the initial application. However, choosing these |
| from lead paint, toxic building materials, asbestos, | | | | alternative paints can make a big difference. |
| mold and pesticides. Pregnant women should not | | | | Remember, we want to limit our exposure to |
| be involved in construction projects of this sort. If | | | | hazardous chemicals, while acknowledging that it is |
| construction is occurring in the house where a | | | | not possible to avoid them completely at this |
| pregnant woman resides she should be out of the | | | | point in time. |
| house during construction and the room under | | | | Here are some options for alternative paint |
| construction should be sealed off from the rest | | | | choices: |
| of the house, taking care to air the room out with | | | | Natural Paints |
| open windows and fans and vacuum frequently. A | | | | Green Planet Paints |
| pregnant woman would do best to avoid spending | | | | These natural mineral paints are plant based and |
| prolonged periods in a room that has recently | | | | are free of petroleum based products. The also |
| been remodeled, had new carpet installed or been | | | | contain zero VOC's Order swatches, samples and |
| painted. One thing to consider when doing | | | | paint online. |
| construction on an old house, is to apply new | | | | Bioshield Healthy Paint |
| drywall to the existing structure, rather than | | | | This company offers a variety of natural paints |
| tearing out old plaster or drywall, and creating | | | | including one specially for nurseries, called Kinder |
| unnecessary and potentially hazardous dust and | | | | Paint. Available for purchase online. |
| debris. Of course this is sometimes not possible or | | | | Zero VOC Paint |
| not advisable in every situation. | | | | Mythic Non-Toxic Paint |
| Next, you'll want to considering testing for lead | | | | This low-odor paint is non-toxic and provides |
| paint. Great care must be taken to remove lead | | | | high-quality color and coverage but is free of |
| paint or the health situation can become more | | | | VOC's |
| hazardous by the creation of fine particles and | | | | Yolo Colorhouse Paint |
| dust from its removal. Visit the EPA's web site | | | | This zero-VOC paint is available online in a wide |
| and search for lead to find a list of labs where | | | | variety of trendy colors and you can even order |
| you can send lead paint chips to be tested, and | | | | poster-sized swatches. |
| also a list of local professionals who can help you | | | | In conclusion, remember that remodeling and |
| remove the lead safely. Specialists have | | | | construction can create airborne hazards to |
| equipment to seal off the room from the rest of | | | | pregnant women, and those who are pregnant |
| the house and remove the lead without spreading | | | | should avoid exposure to the construction and its |
| fine particles. | | | | mess as much as possible. Secondly, try to |
| The next step is to choose greener alternatives | | | | reclaim the original flooring of a room, if possible. |
| to common construction products. First, avoid | | | | Avoiding the purchase of new materials is the |
| carpet. Carpet can harbor dust mites, bacteria and | | | | greenest option. Last, try to use greener building |
| mold, and most conventional carpet can off-gas | | | | materials that are made with adhesives that do |
| VOC's from the dyes and glues used in | | | | not off-gas VOC's Use natural and zero VOC |
| construction. If you can reclaim the original flooring | | | | paints. Try to complete construction including |
| in your house, this is the greenest option. Natural | | | | painting as soon as possible BEFORE the baby |
| jute rugs can be used to soften the room and | | | | comes to allow as much off-gassing to occur |
| absorb noise. If you need to replace the flooring | | | | before exposure, as possible. Air out the room |
| consider bamboo. It is a renewable resource that | | | | being remodeled, A LOT. Avoid having the baby |
| is extremely durable. Here is a list of possible | | | | or pregnant woman spend prolonged periods in a |
| green flooring choices from The Green Home | | | | room with new construction or fresh paint for at |
| Guide: | | | | least a month. |
| One of the most popular products used when | | | | |