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Apartment Therapy published a guide to choosing lower-emission interior paint, explaining that VOC content, chemical emissions and odor are related but distinct measures. It advises shoppers to compare product testing and certifications as well as VOC labels, and to include primer in the decision.
Apartment Therapy has published a guide to choosing eco-friendly paint, advising homeowners to look beyond labels such as “zero VOC” and “low VOC” when selecting products for indoor use. The report, based on comments from Greg Williams, BEHR’s director of sustainability, says VOC content, chemical emissions and odor are related but distinct considerations.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can evaporate into the air during painting and as paint dries, contributing to indoor air pollution. Apartment Therapy’s guide says a VOC figure alone does not describe every chemical a paint may emit, and a mild smell does not establish that a product has low VOC content. The report recommends checking product information and independent emissions certifications alongside VOC claims.
The article gives examples from BEHR’s product range, including low-VOC paints reported as containing less than 50 grams per liter and products described as zero VOC. It says certain paints and primers have GREENGUARD Gold certification, which the report characterizes as independent testing against standards for low chemical emissions. These are company product claims presented in a brand-partnered article, not a comparison of all paints on the market.
The guide also says primer should be part of the selection process if a shopper is concerned about VOCs, emissions or odor. The appropriate primer depends on the wall’s condition and the job, such as general preparation or covering stains. It reports that lower-VOC formulas are not inherently less capable of providing color or coverage; paint pigments, resins, the wall surface and application also affect results.
What Paint Labels Tell Homeowners
Paint choices can affect indoor air during application and drying, so label distinctions matter most to people planning work in frequently used spaces such as bedrooms. The guide’s practical point is that “zero VOC” is not a complete description of emissions: shoppers may need to check independent testing, product details and the primer as well as the topcoat.
At the same time, the report does not establish that any single label guarantees a healthier home or that one product suits every project. Its advice is to match the product to the surface and performance needs, then compare relevant environmental information. That can help readers avoid treating odor, VOC content and emissions as interchangeable measures.
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VOC Content Versus Air Emissions
The source article was published in partnership with BEHR and relies on comments from a company sustainability executive, so its named product examples and performance descriptions should be read as attributed company information. It is a consumer guide, not a laboratory comparison of competing brands or a regulatory notice.
As the report explains, VOC content concerns the amount of VOCs in the paint, while emissions testing evaluates what a product releases into the air. Odor is another separate property. The article also cites BEHR ECOMIX as a product described by the company as zero VOC, low odor, GREENGUARD Gold certified and made with at least 20 percent plant-based ingredients. Those specific claims apply to the named product, not to all paints marketed as eco-friendly.
““Look at the whole picture instead of one number.””
— Greg Williams, as quoted by Apartment Therapy
Limits of the Product Comparisons
The source does not provide a publication date beyond “published now,” and it does not compare the named BEHR products with products from other manufacturers. Its claims about particular formulas, certifications and performance are attributed to a company representative in a brand-partnered report; the article does not include the underlying test results or a full list of product-specific VOC measurements.
It is also not clear from the source how a shopper should compare certifications that use different standards, or whether every product formulation and color option has identical characteristics. Consumers should check the current label and technical documentation for the exact paint and primer they plan to use. The guide does not claim that zero-VOC paint has no emissions.
Check the Paint and Primer
Before buying, homeowners can review the current product label and technical information for VOC content and emissions certification, then confirm that the primer fits the surface and any stain or adhesion issue. Because product formulations and claims can change, verify details for the specific item rather than relying only on a general category such as “eco-friendly.”
The source provides no announced follow-up study or regulatory milestone. For a planned project, the next step is a product-by-product comparison using the information available from manufacturers and certifiers, while following the product’s application and ventilation instructions.
Key Questions
Does zero-VOC paint mean a product releases no chemicals?
No. Apartment Therapy’s report says VOC content and emissions are different measures; a zero-VOC paint can still release small amounts of chemicals as it dries.
Is low-odor paint necessarily low in VOCs?
No. The report says odor does not by itself show a paint’s VOC content. Check the product information and any emissions-testing certification.
Can lower-VOC paint still provide good coverage?
The source says VOC level does not inherently determine color or coverage. Pigments, resins, wall condition, application and the size of the color change also affect the result.
Should I check the primer as well as the paint?
Yes, if VOCs, emissions or odor are part of your decision. The guide says to choose primer based on the wall’s needs, then consider its product attributes too.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
