October 31, 2021

Paint is a product that has been used for many years. Painting could be in forms of art, used for buildings, coloring of cars, and more. Starting off by being a product of natural elements, it is now infused with various chemicals, 9.8 billion gallons of paint are produced each year.

One problem though, is that while estimately 9.8 billion gallons is produced, 120 million gallons are bought, and approximately 80 million gallons of those bought are wasted.

Paint production also contributes to CO2 in our atmosphere, influencing more effects of global warming. Not only is paint found to be harmful to our environment but to human health as well. One chemical that greatly harms both are Volatile Organic Compounds, found in solvent based paints. They contribute air pollution, not only when produced but also when being used on a surface.

As for human effects, Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOC, can cause eye, nose, and throat infections, as well as extreme headaches. Furthermore leading to liver and kidney damage, even causing cancer.

Oil is a major ingredient in the process of creating paint, but unfortunately creates more problems by being a nonrenewable source. Furthermore, the disposal of paints is also an environmental difficulty. SO as you can see, many effects are made to our environment when it comes to paints.

But what can be done about this issue?

The use of Acrylic paint, contains less hydrocarbon solvents, which therefore produce less harms then oil paints. Powder coating painting is also a method which has various benefits to our environment as compared to oil paints. Though companies must be accountable and re-think their products' environmental impact, it ultimately falls on the education the consumers and buyers contain when it comes to products, and how they choose to go on further.