What are VOCs?
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are carbon-based compounds that easily evaporate into the atmosphere. VOCs are commonly used in industry for processes such as, degreasing, thinning and dissolving. They can also be found in certain materials, such as, paint, inks and adhesives.
Not managed properly VOCs can be dangerous. These risks include health risks (many VOCs act as irritants or carcinogens), environment (VOCs contribute to the formation of low-level ozone. This causes respiratory diseases, damage to crops and plant life, as well as damaging rubbers and plastics) and financial (most solvents are very expensive to buy and to dispose of as they are classified as ‘special waste’).
Source: www.envirowise.gov.uk
Warning: Most of the well-known paint brands contain very high levels of solvents that use Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The average tin of Acrylic household paint contains up to a third VOC based solvents based on volume. A tin of enamel paint can be nearly half VOC based solvents. When buying, check the paint’s VOC rating on the tin to ensure it has no, minimal or low VOC content.
How are Nutshell products environmentally friendly?
Nutshell uses only naturally sourced raw materials including oils, herbs and minerals. Nutshell’s approach is radical as it takes a holistic view of all the issues involved in sourcing materials, manufacture, application and disposal, ie the whole life span of a product including packaging.
Does Nutshell provide odour free paints?
No. Producing odour free paints requires a considerable cocktail of potentially harmful chemicals. In addition, odour free paints can lead people to under-ventilating newly painted rooms allowing subtle vapours to build unchecked.
How do you make your pigments?
Our traditional recipes are understandably trade secrets but we know some of them were used by great masters like Rembrandt so they’ll stand the test of time.
What does Microporous mean?
Many paint products contain plastics that seal the wall surface, creating a “plastic box” for a home. Nutshell Natural Paints are different in that they are microporous, they allow the walls to “breathe”. Conventional impermeable paints lead to excessive wall condensation that can give rise to the growth of dangerous moulds. Our products allow moisture to pass through the surface and thereby avoid this common problem. Rooms painted with Nutshell Emulsions don’t have to be vacated, so they make an economical choice where offices, hospitals and schools are under pressure of time and space.
Are your products truly allergy-free?
Many of us are increasingly concerned with our personal health and the health of our children. Without realising it many of our living and working environments and the materials there within have been chemically treated which can lead to health problems, sometimes referred to as “Sick Building Syndrome”.
These man-made products eventually break down producing gases that fill our living, working and sleeping spaces. The chemicals found in these products are known to be harmful particularly to those who work with such materials (e.g. painters and decorators) as well as the individual who later have to live and work there.
Nutshell products offer a healthy and wholesome alternative. They are emission free and we have many testimonials from people whose allergies or other reactions to chemically based paints, cleared after using Nutshell paints.
How long do you have to leave a room to air before you use it after applying Nutshell emulsions?
Rooms painted with Nutshell Emulsions don’t have to be vacated, so they make an economical choice where offices, hospitals and schools are under pressure of time and space. They are also ideal for nurseries and when decorating babies’ rooms.