Editing Paint (section)

==Dangers==
[[Volatile organic compound]]s (VOCs) in paint are considered harmful to the environment and especially for people who work with them on a regular basis. Extensive exposure to these vapours has been strongly related to [[Chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy|organic solvent syndrome]], although a definitive relation has yet to be fully established.<ref>{{Cite journal |pmc = 1472097|year = 2006|author1 = SPURGEON A|title = Watching Paint Dry: Organic Solvent Syndrome in late-Twentieth-Century Britain|journal = Medical History|volume = 50|issue = 2|pages = 167–188|pmid = 16711296|doi=10.1017/s002572730000973x}}</ref>  The controversial solvent [[2-butoxyethanol]] is also used in paint production.<ref name="Ethylene Glycol Mono-N-Butyl Ether">{{cite web|title=Ethylene Glycol Mono-N-Butyl Ether|url=http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~4vgB71:1|publisher=National Library of Medicine HSDB|access-date=2014-03-14}}</ref> Jurisdictions such as [[Canada]], [[China]], the [[European Union|EU]], [[India]], the United States, and South Korea have definitions for VOCs in place, along with regulations to limit the use of VOCs in consumer products such as paint.<ref>{{Cite web|title=South Korea expands VOC controls and tightens limits in paint|url=https://chemicalwatch.com/80009/south-korea-expands-voc-controls-and-tightens-limits-in-paint|access-date=2021-03-27|website=chemicalwatch.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Consumer Products Regulations|url=https://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/VOC/What_Are_Volatile_Organic_Compounds_(VOC)_and_Overview_of_Global_VOC_Regulations.html|access-date=2021-03-27|website=www.chemsafetypro.com}}</ref>

In the [[United States|US]], environmental regulations, consumer demand, and advances in technology led to the development of low-VOC and zero-VOC paints and finishes. These new paints are widely available and meet or exceed the old high-VOC products in performance and cost-effectiveness while having significantly less impact on human and environmental health.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Chang|first1=John C. S.|last2=Fortmann|first2=Roy|last3=Roache|first3=Nancy|last4=Lao|first4=Huei-Chen|date=1999|title=Evaluation of Low-VOC Latex Paints|journal=Indoor Air|language=en|volume=9|issue=4|pages=253–258|doi=10.1111/j.1600-0668.1999.00004.x|pmid=10649858|issn=0905-6947|doi-access=free|bibcode=1999InAir...9..253C }}</ref>

Globally, the most widely accepted standard for acceptable levels of VOC in paint is [https://greenseal.org/standards/gs-11-paints-coatings-stains-and-sealers/ Green Seal’s GS-11 Standards] from the US which defines different VOC levels acceptable for different types of paint based on use case and performance requirements.

A polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) was reported (published in 2009) in air samples collected in Chicago, Philadelphia, the Arctic, and several sites around the Great Lakes. PCB is a global pollutant and was measured in the wastewater effluent from paint production. The widespread distribution of PCB suggests volatilization of this compound from surfaces, roofs etc. PCB is present in consumer goods including newspapers, magazines, and cardboard boxes, which usually contain color pigments. Therefore, a hypothesis exists that PCB congeners are present as byproduct in some current commercial pigments.<ref>{{cite journal | pmc= 2853905 | pmid=19957996 | doi=10.1021/es902413k | volume=44 | issue=8 | title=Inadvertent polychlorinated biphenyls in commercial paint pigments | journal=Environ Sci Technol | pages=2822–7 | last1 = Hu | first1 = D | last2 = Hornbuckle | first2 = KC| bibcode=2010EnST...44.2822H | year=2010 }}</ref>

Research is ongoing to remove heavy metals from paint formulations completely.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Puthran |first1=Dayanand |last2=Patil |first2=Dilip |date=2023-01-01 |title=Usage of heavy metal-free compounds in surface coatings |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-022-00648-4 |journal=[[Journal of Coatings Technology and Research]] |language=en |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=87–112 |doi=10.1007/s11998-022-00648-4 |s2cid=251771272 |issn=1935-3804}}</ref>

=== Environmental impact of plastics in paints ===
The ongoing scrutiny of the environmental impact of plastics in paint production is reminiscent of previous investigations into the use of lead in paints. This assessment is driven by accumulating evidence that underscores the role of paint as a significant contributor to [[Microplastics|microplastic pollution]]. In 2019, of the 44.4 million tons of globally produced paint, 95 percent was plastic-based. Further, a 2022 study by [[Environmental Action]] revealed that approximately 58 percent of the microplastics found in oceans and waterways could be traced back to paint.

Efforts to mitigate this environmental issue have spurred the development and exploration of alternatives to plastic-based paints, such as those derived from [[Linseed oil|linseed]], [[walnut]], [[milk paint|milk]], and [[Calcium hydroxide|limewash]]. However, their cost is a significant deterrent to the widespread adoption of these environmentally-friendly alternatives. As of 2023, a gallon of plastic-based paint may cost around $20 to $30, however the price for specialized paint, such as graphene and lime, ranges from $34 to $114 per gallon, underlining the financial challenges associated with transitioning from plastic-based paints.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rudgard |first=Olivia |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-19/your-house-paint-is-causing-an-ocean-plastic-problem |title=Your Basic House Paints Have an Environmental Plastic Problem |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=2023-07-19 |accessdate=2023-07-20 }}</ref>