What Makes Paint Truly Non-Toxic? Looking Beyond VOCs
When we're buying food, we check ingredients.
When we're buying skincare, we check ingredients.
Many of us are becoming more conscious of the cleaning products we use too.
But when it comes to paint, most people never stop to ask what's actually in it.
Yet paint covers some of the largest surfaces in our homes. It's in the bedrooms we sleep in, the living spaces we relax in, and the rooms where family life happens every day.
As awareness of indoor air quality continues to grow, more homeowners are starting to look beyond colour and finish and ask a simple question:
What is actually in my paint?
Most Conversations Start With VOCs
If you've researched healthier paint options before, you've probably come across the term VOC.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are chemicals released into the air from many conventional paints and decorating products. They are responsible for the strong paint smell associated with freshly decorated rooms and can continue to be released into the air long after painting has finished.
As awareness of indoor air quality has increased, many paint manufacturers have worked to reduce VOC levels, leading to the growth of low VOC paints.
Reducing VOCs is undoubtedly a positive step forward, but VOC levels alone don't tell you everything about a paint formulation.
If you'd like to learn more about the difference between low VOC and VOC-free paint, you can read our guide: Low VOC vs VOC-Free Paint: What's the Difference?
Looking Beyond VOCs
Choosing paint can be surprisingly confusing.
Terms such as low VOC, trace VOC, water-based, eco paint and natural paint are appearing everywhere, often without much explanation of what sits behind them.
While VOCs are an important consideration, they are only part of the story. A truly considered approach to paint looks at the complete formulation and how it affects your home environment both during and after decorating.
So, what else should you be aware of?
Preservatives
One question we increasingly hear from customers is:
"Does your paint contain MIT or BIT?"
MIT (Methylisothiazolinone) and BIT (Benzisothiazolinone) are preservatives commonly used in many paint formulations. We regularly hear from customers who are actively looking to avoid them due to allergies, sensitivities, previous reactions, or simply a desire to make more informed choices about the products they bring into their homes.
That's why Verus Paint is formulated without MIT or BIT. Instead, our innovative formulation naturally resists mould and bacterial growth while maintaining exceptional performance and freshness.
Other Emissions
Low-VOC and water-based paints can still release other compounds into the air during and after decorating. One group of compounds that has attracted increasing attention is Propylene Glycol Ethers (PGEs).
Research from Karlstad University and Harvard discovered a link between exposure to certain PGEs and a higher risk of asthma, hay fever and eczema in children.
While the science continues to evolve, it highlights an important point: choosing a healthier paint isn't always as simple as looking at the VOC emissions on the tin.
Is Natural Always Better?
Natural paints have become increasingly popular as homeowners look for alternatives to conventional paint formulations. However, like any paint, they come with their own considerations.
Some natural formulations can be more susceptible to mould, mildew or bacterial growth, particularly in damp or poorly ventilated spaces. This is why it's important to look beyond marketing claims and understand how a paint will perform in your home over the long term.
The healthiest choice is often the one that balances indoor air quality, durability and overall performance.
The Indoor Air Quality Conversation Is Bigger Than Paint
When people think about indoor air quality, paint is often one of the first things that comes to mind. But paint is only one part of the story.
Many people are surprised to learn that furniture, flooring, carpets, textiles and household furnishings can also affect indoor air quality, with some releasing airborne formaldehyde.
That's why Verus Paint is designed not only to be free from VOCs and unnecessary toxins, but also to help improve indoor environments by breaking down airborne formaldehyde into harmless water vapour.
It's a feature many people don't expect from paint, but one that reflects our belief that every element of a home should contribute positively to the spaces we live in.
Creating Beautiful Interiors Without Compromise
At Verus Paint, we believe homeowners shouldn't have to choose between beautiful colour and a healthier home.
That's why we've carefully considered every aspect of our formulation, creating a paint that combines beautiful colour and exceptional performance with a more thoughtful approach to indoor air quality.
Our paint is:
• 100% VOC-free
• Toxin-free
• Free from MIT and BIT preservatives
• Completely odourless
• Air-purifying
• Anti-mould and anti-bacterial
• Beautifully pigmented
• Made to order in the UK
Because creating a beautiful home should feel good in every sense of the word.
Discover Colour Without Compromise