Paints for allergy sufferers do not differ from traditional paints. It is a myth that they have less vivid colors. However, they differ in composition: they do not contain harmful substances or solvents. Among the many types of antiallergic paints, it is worth paying attention to whether they are certified by the Polish Society of Allergology. They are also suitable for children who are allergic to ordinary paints.

Contents:

  1. Paints for allergy sufferers - which ones to choose?
  2. Paints for allergy sufferers - which to avoid?
  3. Paints for allergy sufferers - use certified paints
  4. Hypoallergenic paints - vinyl, acrylic or latex?

Wall paints for allergy sufferersshould be safe for he alth. It is important that they do not cause allergic reactions, such as runny nose, cough, tearing or redness of the eyes, etc. A paint that meets this condition does not emit harmful compounds during application and drying. How to choose the right one from among a pile of various cans?

Paints for allergy sufferers - which ones to choose?

First of all, use paints diluted with water, not solvents. The most popular among them areacrylic paints , the binder of which is acrylic resin. They belong to the group of emulsion paints - while drying, they do not emitharmful substances .

This group also includesvinyl paintscontaining polyvinyl chloride, as well as latex paints containing rubber.

Emulsion paints spread very easily, cover well, do not dry for too long. They also have another important advantage: the coatings they create on the walls are vapor-permeable. This means that if there is high air humidity in the room, the walls absorb water vapor and release it to the outside (if all layers of the wall are vapor-permeable) or accumulate it in the wall and return it back to the room when the humidity in it decreases.

This feature allows you to maintain a good microclimate in the apartment. And what is very important - it prevents the formation of mold and fungus in it. Regardless of the fact that emulsion paints do not emit any harmful substances and rather have a neutral smell, it can be a nuisance for particularly sensitive people. Therefore, painted rooms should be thoroughly aired.

He althy paints also include:

  • formerly commonly used paintsglue, in which the binder is bone glue (currently their modified version is used, so-called metacellulose paints)
  • and mineral paints: lime (almost unused), silicate (expensive and mainly used for painting the facade) and cement (mainly intended for painting concrete).

Paints for allergy sufferers - which to avoid?

Allergy sufferers should avoid paints and plasters with uneven texture or dusty paints. Dust begins to deposit on uneven surfaces over time, which may increase allergic reactions. On the other hand, the use of dusting paints or plasters consisting of fine grains of sand may irritate the respiratory tract of an allergy sufferer.

Some paint manufacturers add fragrances to emulsion paints and the painted rooms smell like apples, jasmine, lavender for some time. However, it is worth knowing that these are synthetic fragrances that can irritate or even sensitize, so for your own comfort and he alth, it is better to give up fragrance paints.

Important

If a room is infected with fungi or mold, it must be thoroughly cleaned using special preparations, and the walls must be painted with paints with antifungal and antibacterial agents.

Paints for allergy sufferers - use certified paints

It is worth knowing that the paints contain harmful volatile organic compounds, also called VOCs or VOCs. This means that the solvents contained in the paints can produce harmful substances during the drying process, and their high concentration can cause allergic reactions, especially in sensitive people. For this reason, the European Union has established an acceptable VOC standard in paints, which is 30 g per 1 liter of paint.

In Poland, paints safe for allergy sufferers have the information on the packaging that they have been tested with a positive result by the Polish Society of Allergology, and the logo of this organization.

Regardless of this, you can look for paints with the Blue Angel sign, which are placed on their products by producers from Scandinavia or Germany.

Another transnational label is Eco-Label (stylized daisy). It is an alternative to state ecological trademarks placed on their products by producers of countries associated in the European Union.

Paints with the Eco-Label mark do not contain toxic, carcinogenic or other substances harmful to he alth and the environment.

Hypoallergenic paints - vinyl, acrylic or latex?

You can paint the entire apartment with one type of emulsion paint. However, we usually have to use several types of them. And like this:

  • vinyl - suitable for rooms where we stay less often, because the walls painted with them get dirty easily; it is true that they are easy to wash, but they let the water vapor relatively poorly, so they are best for a large living room, living room or guest room;
  • acrylic - quite resistant to chemicals, more durable than vinyl and more permeable to water vapor - their coatings can cover small scratches, so these paints will be perfect for painting walls in the corridor, kitchen and bathroom, but well ventilated or equipped with a window;
  • latex - on the surface of the walls they create a coating that does not let water vapor pass through; so they are suitable for the walls of bathrooms, kitchens and other so-called wet rooms. Latex paint coatings are scrub-resistant. These paints are rarely allergenic, but quite expensive.
  • Latex allergy - causes, symptoms, treatment
  • What should a bed be like for an allergy sufferer
  • Air purifier: why is it worth having? How to choose a good one?

"Zdrowie" monthly

Category:

Allergies