Paints and coatings

Indoor and outdoor paints, preservatives and coatings have several associated chemical hazards, which vary across global regions and regulatory frameworks.  For example, as of December 2021, still fewer than half of countries globally have lead paint laws.

A number of chemicals that may be found in paints have human health concerns.  Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) used in paints and coatings can cause respiratory problems for building occupants and painters; where alkylphenol ethoxylates (APE) are present, they may have an endocrine disrupting effect.  

Some wood preservatives designed for outdoor use are chemically intensive, from chemicals used to provide waterproofing and pesticidal functions, and concerns have been raised on the effects of preservative compounds such as pentachlorophenol and chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which are phased out in some regions, but not all.

Paints may also contain phthalates to provide a plasticising effect, and PFAS may be added in some products to improve the flow and spread or waterproofing properties.

The resources below explore some of these issues, and how to select a safer product.

Related EPI

Lead in paint

Related topics

Chemicals in building products

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10 resources found

Healthy Building Network

PFAS in Paints

May 2023
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HBN tested 94 commercially available paint products for the presence of harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), called “forever chemicals”. Approximately 50% of ‌paints tested positive for fluorine, a marker of PFAS. Review the details of our findings and the recommended actions you can take.

Emerging Policy Issues: Perfluorinated Chemicals

Lead in Solvent-based paints for home use in Africa

May 2023
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This report presents the results of a major research project into the total lead content of solvent-based paints for home use available on the market in 15 African countries: Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia. It also presents background information on the health impacts of lead paint, especially for children; a review of national policy frameworks that are in place on lead paint, and it provides a strong justification for adopting and enforcing further regulatory controls in these countries.

Emerging Policy Issues: Lead in paint

Alternatives to Methylene Chloride in Paint and Varnish Strippers: Availability of Safer Alternatives & Requirements for Meeting Stage 1 of the California Safer Consumer Products Regulations

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OECD
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May 2023
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This report gives a summary of a research project which aimed to identify less hazardous alternatives to methylene chloride in formulated paint stripper products, and to align alternatives with the California Safer Consumer Products regulations.

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