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January 2, 2008
paint and pregnancy
Hi! Just found out that I'm pregnant, but we still have to paint our 100+year old apartment. I had originally wanted to strip all the moldings and doorways to remove many layers of paint and get rid of the lead, but those stripping chemicals seem like they would be as bad as the lead. So if we just coverup the old paint (like everyone else has for the past 100 years) it won't look as nice, but I think that there would be less chemical exposure. I've been reading about low VOC paints too. Does anyone have any experience painting (or renovating in general)while pregnant? Thanks!
Comments
I know when my wife was pregnant that her sense of smell was very acute, and paint fumes were unbearable. We had just moved in so there was alot of painting. I used some low VOC benjamin moore paint and she could still smell it, but it was tolerable. I've heard good things about clay based paint; no fumes, environmentally friendly, very nice, natural finish. It might be a little more work than regular latex, but I'm looking into it for our next project.
Posted by: cornetor at January 2, 2008 10:22 PM
When my wife was pregnant, we specifically used zero VOC paints. We used the Harmony line from Sherwin Williams. They make primers too and most of their paint selections can be made in the Harmony line. There is a store in Brooklyn, so consider checking it out. Pretty much no smell at all from the paint. And we were very happy with the quality of the paint. Also, do a couple of google searches on zero VOC paints -- there are a few companies that will color match any of the Benjamin Moore colors. Also, I think it is important to use low or zero VOC paints for nurseries.
Posted by: guest at January 3, 2008 12:44 AM
Congrats on the pregnancy. I'm jealous. I'd suggest trying this question on the park slope parents forum. Lot of relatively new moms and dads who may have been in similar position.
Posted by: guest at January 3, 2008 1:11 AM
Thanks for the advice. I've been wary of the Park Slope parents board. I heard that they can be meaner than some of the comments on Brownstoner ;)
Posted by: brookelen at January 3, 2008 11:24 AM
If you want to strip, I have had great experience with Peel-away stripper. It's a lye based stripper paste which you apply and let sit for a couple days, then pull off. It works well if you are planning to repaint. It 'might' be better than other caustic strippers. It will also get rid of rather than encapsulate and lead paint you might have.
I have used peel-away I. http://www.dumondchemicals.com/html/peelaway.htm
Posted by: guest at January 3, 2008 3:44 PM
I'm an architect and also happen to be pregnant too. I can't tell from your post if you are planning to paint yourself. I strongly urge you against this. You should be out of the space for at least 48 hours after application. The US Green Building Council (LEED) uses the Green Seal Standards to establish the limit for VOC content in environmentally friendly paints. For flats this is 50g/l and for non-flats 150g/L.
Posted by: rasmalai at January 4, 2008 9:30 AM
Rasmalai, I was planning on painting with the husband. We were going to do it at the rate of just a room a month, not the whole apartment and not our bedroom at all. Probably go with the Sherman Williams Harmony brand.
I'm still wondering if it's worth it to strip all the lead probably paint first (like with Peel Away) or just paint over.
Thanks for all the advice. We're new at the pregnancy thing and the renovating thing!
Posted by: brookelen at January 4, 2008 11:44 AM
hello, if you want to strip the paint off, look on the net under [soybean paint removal] it's made with 100% soybean oil. and good luck
Posted by: guest at January 20, 2008 1:53 PM
Go with harmony from Sherwin-Williams, no odor no voc. the best.
Posted by: guest at January 28, 2008 4:34 PM
I've renovated several houses and am also pregnant. Congrats! For starters, if ANY of the paint is chipping or peeling, it can be dangerous to the baby. Even DUST can contain lead that is bad for children. So...if that's the case, you want to encase the paint first by using a special encasing paint and then put the zero VOC Harmony Sherwin WIlliams over it. This encasing paint DOES have fumes so you'll need somebody else to do it for you and you'll need to leave the place for a few days while it vents out. If nothing is chipping or peeling, you SHOULD be okay... I'm in the same boat. Our current house is 215-years-old and we have several cool-looking doors, but the paint is chipping ... Anyway, good luck with both!
Posted by: guest at February 17, 2008 10:52 AM
Low-VOC and No-VOC paints contain other toxic chemicals.
Use completely natural non-toxic paint, just to be on the safe side. No need to take an unncessary risk to save a few bucks, especially when your child is involved. Always apply the precautionary principle and be as safe as possible.
Here's a link I found http://www.nwrenovation.com/31vocsinpaint.html
Posted by: winkosmosis at February 23, 2009 8:30 AM
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