When we talk about sources of pollution, we often mention plastic, energy, or transport… but rarely paint. Yet, it is omnipresent in our daily lives (cars, buildings, floors, objects) and far from harmless. Its composition, the products used to apply and protect it, as well as its degradation, contribute to significant environmental contamination.
Unlike other causes of pollution, which are often difficult to reduce because of our lifestyle (I’m thinking particularly of cars for commuting when distances are long), industrial paints can be easily replaced by more natural techniques. These are much less polluting and, at the very least, as durable as ready-to-use paints.
I am going to embark on a small overview of the composition of these paints and present some solutions to limit the pollution they generate.
Among the most well-known pollutants present in our paints are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (1). These substances evaporate into the air when the paint dries, contributing to indoor air pollution. VOCs can cause respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, and in the long term, more serious health effects, including neurological disorders and liver problems (2).
In response to these concerns, the VOC Directive 2007/2010 was introduced and sets maximum limits for VOC content in various everyday products. The VOC content in the paint must therefore be less than 30 g/litre (1). They are also classified on their emissions, from A+ (very low emissions) to C (high emissions).
However, in France, this directive has a major limitation: it assesses emissions after 28 days, ignoring pollution peaks that occur just after application, when exposure is most intense (3). Although imperfect, it at least had the merit of having caused manufacturers to modify their formulations to reduce VOC content, which led to a significant improvement in indoor air quality.
Modern paints must meet several criteria: good coverage, durability, mold resistance, etc. To achieve these objectives, various chemical additives are used:
Biocidal preservatives : such as 2-methyl-1,2-benzothiazol-3(2H)-one (MBIT), which can cause allergic skin reactions in some sensitive individuals and are highly toxic to aquatic environments (4).
Isocyanates : Found in some polyurethane paints, they are known to cause respiratory tract irritation and allergic reactions, even at low concentrations (5).
Glycol ethers and derivatives : used as solvents, they are associated with long-term haematotoxic and reprotoxic effects (6) (7).
Pigments containing heavy metals : These include lead, cadmium or hexavalent chromium, toxic substances still present in some paints, although much rarer than in the past, and which can have serious consequences for human health and the environment (8).
Toluene : used as a solvent or as an element in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, lacquers, waxes and inks, it can cause dizziness, headaches, and even effects on the nervous system in the event of prolonged exposure.
Xylene : mainly used as a solvent, it is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract.
Ketones : often present in nail polishes, can cause skin irritation.
Although the use of some of these components is now restricted or prohibited, they may still be present in certain paints, especially those intended for specific uses or imported from countries with less stringent regulations.
There are two kinds of pigments: natural and synthetic.
The answer is clear: no.
In the category of natural pigments, we find ochres, which are relatively safe. I write relatively because it is dust containing, among other things, silicate which, if inhaled in too large quantities, can be harmful to health. But in common use by painters, it is very unlikely that this will have an impact. The danger is especially for the people who extract them and live daily in the middle of pounds and pounds of pigment.
There are also lacquered pigments, made from natural elements such as plants. Their toxicity is relatively limited, except perhaps for alum, an ingredient often used to convert natural dyes into pigments, the harmfulness of which is still debated.
The pigments, being made up of very fine dust, are very volatile and can be inhaled, which can lead to problems such as allergies or other lung disorders. This is why it is advisable to wear a mask when handling them.
Synthetic pigments are likely to present more risks, particularly in terms of toxicity.
It is increasingly rare to find natural pigments in paints, most of which are synthetically made, because they are cheaper to produce and offer indisputably good technical characteristics (intensity, stability, variety of colours). Creating colors synthetically is not new.
For example, white lead, or lead white, was already used in ancient times to make white paints and makeup. Its toxicity has been known since Roman times. However, considered the best white pigment, it continued to be used even after the appearance of alternatives: zinc white in the nineteenth century, then titanium white in the twentieth century. Its use was eventually banned at the beginning of the twentieth century. (9)
There are also pigments containing barium (11) or lead chromate (12), which are toxic.
Nickel, which is present in some yellow pigments, poses rather serious risks to health and the environment (13). When handling powdered or aerosol pigments, it is advisable to wear suitable protection (gloves, mask, ventilation).
The manganese found in manganese blue is controversial due to its potential health risks and its environmental impact, even though it is less problematic than some heavy metals like lead or cadmium (14)
In addition, some synthetic pigments, such as phthalocyanines, although less toxic, can be persistent in the environment and contribute to chemical pollution in the long term.
Some of these pigments have now largely disappeared from paint formulations, replaced by less dangerous synthetic pigments. However, while the risk is reduced, the problem is not completely solved.
If you use synthetic pigments, prefer those guaranteed “free of heavy metals” or that comply with environmental standards, such as the European REACH regulation.
Acrylic paint has many advantages. It dries quickly, the colors hold well over time and it does not give off any odor. One would tend to think that since it can be cleaned with water, it must not contain toxic substances. Unfortunately, these paints are actually much more harmful than we imagine. They contain many chemical compounds, including those I mentioned earlier and which I will not dwell on too much here; I refer you to the previous chapter. In addition to the effects on human health, which are already worrying, their impact on the environment is considerable and still far too neglected in the public debate.
Acrylic paint is made from a synthetic polymer resin derived from petroleum. Specifically, these are acrylic polymers, such as polyacrylate or polymethacrylate. (15). It is mixed with pigments, some of which — as we have seen here — can be harmful to health and the environment.
Reading the composition of an acrylic binder (16), you’ll notice it contains unnatural products like 1,2-BENZISOTHIAZOL-3(2H)-ONE or MIXTURE OF: 5-CHLORO-2-METHYL-2H-ISOTHIAZOL-3-ONE, which are best avoided from being disposed of just anywhere.
Some acrylic paints and varnishes also contain PFAS (17), these “eternal pollutants” that are regularly singled out because of the dangers they represent, both for human health and the environment.
Some substances found in acrylic paint can cause serious allergic reactions.
Another risk, often ignored, concerns the cleaning of equipment. Rinsing brushes in the sink results in toxic residues being released into wastewater. These pollutants, such as PFAS, are not always filtered by wastewater treatment plants and can end up in the environment or even drinking water (18). Even if the manufacturers assure that “This mixture does not present a danger to the environment. No damage to the environment is known or foreseeable under normal conditions of use. (19), these statements often exclude the washing phases. However, multiplied by thousands of daily gestures, the impact is becoming very real.
This is also a subject that speaks to me, since I have very often painted with spray paint. I also started to be interested in art through graffiti, which I practiced for several years.
I’m not going to dwell on the subject myself, because the graffiti artist Bertrand Parse wrote an excellent article on this subject (link).
I highly recommend you read it.
We won’t go back to the subject of pigments (we’ve already seen it here): they’re the same ones used in all paints. In the case of oil paint, the binder base is generally more natural than that of acrylic, spray, or glycero paints, as it is most often purified linseed oil or poppyseed oil. The danger here comes more from the solvents used with oil paint. These are necessary to thin the paint and clean the brushes but can be quite a serious problem.
It is THE solvent for oil painting. Although natural (20), it is not without danger (21). According to the National Institute for Research and Safety (INRS), turpentine oil is classified as:
Flammable
Harmful by inhalation, skin contact and ingestion
Irritating to the skin and eyes
Potential skin allergen
Toxic to aquatic organisms INRS+1INRS+1INRS
One study also suggested an increased risk of neuroblastoma in children whose fathers were occupationally exposed to turpentine, although these findings require careful interpretation due to limited sample size and potential bias (22).
Turpentine is toxic to aquatic organisms and can cause long-term adverse effects on the aquatic environment. It is especially at the time of cleaning the brushes that the discharge into nature takes place.
Another commonly used solvent but which also presents a certain danger for the human body and the environment. Toxic if inhaled or ingested, this product can cause various health effects depending on the level of exposure: skin dryness, eye irritation, redness, burning sensations, as well as narcotic effects on the central nervous system. If swallowed, it can lead to pneumonia, digestive disorders such as nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, and can be fatal in high doses. (23)
Some oil painters use dearomatized white spirit thinking the product is less harmful. In reality, its toxicity remains practically the same (24) and has only the advantage of not giving off such strong odours as that of the classic white spirit.
Empty paint cans, unused paint remnants, as well as paint-soaked rags or brushes, are often disposed of in household waste. This waste contains toxic chemicals that can contaminate soil and water when not disposed of properly.
The manufacture of paints requires the extraction and processing of raw materials, such as pigments, solvents and additives, often from non-renewable resources. These steps generate greenhouse gas emissions, toxic waste and significant energy consumption. The transportation of materials and finished products also contributes to air pollution.
Over time, under the effect of rain and weather, some components of paints can degrade and leach, releasing heavy metals and other toxic substances into the soil and surrounding waters. This affects water quality and local biodiversity, especially near painted buildings or infrastructure.
The uncontrolled combustion or incineration of paint waste can release toxic substances such as dioxins, furans and other persistent organic pollutants into the air, which are very dangerous for health and the environment.
So, what can be done?
Making your own paints is clearly the healthiest option (be careful : it’s not without its dangers either), but I know it’s not feasible for everyone. Those who wish can do so by following my painting recipes or others that you will find on the internet.
Fortunately, there are other ways to limit the impact of paints on our health and the environment.
I think we are not sufficiently informed about the dangers of the paints we use. When I started painting, I chose acrylic. This technique is quite simple, dries quickly, and I naively thought that, since the brushes were rinsed with water, the paint could not be dangerous. When I dug a little deeper, I realized that it wasn’t as harmless as I thought. I wanted to share this information, which I think is important, so that everyone can make informed choices.
