Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) - Home Page. Environmentally Friendly, Non Toxic Paint - Sustainable Build. Author: Jennifer Gray - Updated: 1 January 2013| Comment All paints contain three main components: pigment (colour), a binder (holds the paint together) and a carrier (disperses the binder). With many modern paints these ingredients are made using toxic chemicals that are harmful to both the environment and human health. Cadmium, lead and chromium are frequently used in pigments; and petrochemicals, solvents, benzene, formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used in binders and carriers. Toxic, environmentally harmful, chemicals are also used in modern paints as preservatives, stabilisers, thickeners and driers.
VOCs are organic (carbon based) chemical compounds that evaporate easily in the atmosphere, and are known to be a major contributor to global climate change. Increasing concerns about the impact of chemical paints on health and the environment have led to a growing market in non-toxic paints. Eco Labels for Paints Natural Paints Paints for a Sustainable Future. Backyard Biodiversity salinity experiment (Publication - General) CBBC Newsround | GLOBALISATION ENVIRONMENTAL | The real cost of coffee. Earthlights_dmsp_big.jpg (2400×1200) Transparency - Walk This Way. More Infographics on Good. Environmental Science.