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Research Shows Antimicrobial Paints Add Risk and Cost for No Benefit

June 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Many major paint manufacturers have brought out paint ranges with claimed antimicrobial properties. They are often marketed to specifiers and painters as being a product which will ‘protect’ the health of the occupants of the buildings where they used from nasty bacteria and disease. In some products, metals, such as silver, are impregnated into the product to provide the antimicrobial properties. In others, products such as Microban are used as antimicrobials, made from the chemical Triclosan, a chemical of concern because of its acute toxicity.

Many painters think that are doing their clients a favor by using and recommending these products, which often come with a premium price tag.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded a 2003 comprehensive study of infection control practice with the statement that “No evidence is available to suggest that use of these [antimicrobial] products will make consumers and patients healthier or prevent disease. No data support the use of these items as part of a sound infection-control strategy.” Kaiser Permanente similarly concluded in a December 2006 position statement that “[we] do not recommend environmental surface finishes or fabrics that contain antimicrobials for the purpose of greater infection control and the subsequent prevention of hospital acquired infections. There is no evidence that environmental surface finishes or fabrics containing antimicrobials assist in preventing infections.”

Is this another example of manufacturers feeding us spin? What we need are less chemicals in our paint, not more! What do you think?

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Your Personal Health

May 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Whereas health foods and natural health are now well established and accepted by large numbers of people, the concept of the “Healthy Home” is novel to most people. Ironically, the same people who select “natural “ personal care products and organic foods are still likely to choose furnishing, paints and DIY items made of materials containing the very burden of chemical additives that they have rejected for food and body care.

Very little is yet known about acceptable concentrations and exposure levels of any of the new pollutants, or about what may constitute and “unreasonable risk”. A manufacturer’s evaluation should be subject to checks and final approval by independent government bodies, which should also monitor the substances uses and concentrations. Most governments, however, cannot keep pace with the deluge of new chemicals and controls are weakening despite efforts by consumer and pressure groups.

Ref.: The Natural House Book

 

 

 

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Paint Linked to Allergy Risks in Pre-School Age Children

April 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Do you want to expose your family to this?

Paint Linked to Allergy Risks in Pre-School Age Children

A new study has found that children who sleep in bedrooms containing fumes from water-based paints and solvents are two to four times more likely to suffer allergies or asthma.

The study, published in the journal of the Public Library of Science, PLoS ONE, analysed chemical compounds – propylene glycol and glycol ethers, known as PGEs – in the bedroom air of 400 toddlers and preschoolers. Researchers found that higher concentrations of these chemicals were linked with substantially higher rates of asthma, stuffy noses and eczema.

The research was a collaboration between scientists at Harvard University and Sweden’s Kalstad University. The study followed 198 children in Varmland, Sweden, between the ages of 1 and 5 who had asthma or at least two symptoms or wheezing or rhinitis (nasal allergies) without a cold or eczema in the previous year, as well as 202 children with no symptoms.

The children with nasal allergies tended to have a PGE concentration in their bedrooms that was twice as high as the concentration found in rooms of the children with no symptoms. The higher the dose, the more likely the children were to suffer from rhinitis, asthma, or eczema, even when concentrations were low.

Children in bedrooms with the highest concentrations were 4.2 times more likely to have rhinitis, twice as likely to have asthma and 2.5 times more likely to have eczema, compared with children with the lowest concentrations in their rooms

A history of repainting at least one room in the house pre- or post-natal to the birth of the child was associated with a 63% increase in mean PGEs compared to those who never repainted. Thus, repainting might have provided a sustained exposure since the gestational period or shortly following the birth. And nobody has ever looked into that how much damaged it can make to your health as an adult.

Propylene glycol and glycol ethers are a diverse group of compounds with superior solvent and coalescent properties. Due to their lower volatility and higher degree of solvency, they are widely used in water-based paint and not counted as solvents according to the regulations. Again a gap for conventional paint manufacturer to marked their products as solvent free!

But there is help! BIO’s Wall paint for living rooms, bed rooms and children rooms is solvent free and made from natural and nontoxic ingredients.

Ask for FREE Information, Colour Chart and Brochure NOW.

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