Mindful Girl Blog

Mindful Girl welcomes local artist Tobi Indyke to the blog today to talk to us about the dangers of toxic products lurking in your home, and the more benign alternatives. More info about Tobi and the work she does transforming residential and commercial spaces in NJ at www.periwinkleskies.net 

By Tobi Indyke

 Since the 1950s petro-chemical paints and solvents have been the standard materials used for the faux finishing industry. I have been a faux finisher for over 18 years and worked with these toxic products until symptoms developed that I could no longer ignore. 

Five years ago the numbness and tingling on the left side of my face developed into acute numbness of the entire left hemisphere of my head. Headaches would last for several days and ‘blackouts’ became regular occurances–not terribly helpful for working on scaffolds and tall ladders!
 
As it turned out, I had developed a small brain menigioma that was tangled in the network of audial and visual nerves. This was effecting my balance and wreaking havoc on daily functionality. The meningioma was treated in 2005 and I began the switch to using natural finishing products from that time forward.
 
The journey that has led me to clay, soy, casein, beeswax and lyme based products has been very worthwhile. Although these mediums are not intermixable, they can be layered–revealing paths to a new realm of creativity. Dry time is quicker, clean-up is easier, and no more headaches. The resulting product is healthier for me, for the client and for the environment. 

7 Reasons to Use Natural Paint
Paints consist of a color pigment + a binder + a vehicle (such as oil or water). The binder can be synthetic (alkyd resin or acrylic) or natural (plant oil or resin, natural latex, animal glue, casein, milk, egg, or cellulose). Most paints emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which contaminate the indoor air long after the paint cures. Natural paints usually dry faster and contain fewer VOCs. 

Generally, a low VOC paint contains less than 50 grams  per liter, while a no VOC paint has fewer than 5 grams per liter. Lower VOC amounts are found in natural paints and in flatter sheens (more binder = more gloss = more VOC’s). Lower VOC content equals a naturally, healthier paint. 

Here are some important reasoning points:
1. Synthetic paints trap moisture and may bubble or crack over time.
2. Natural paints remain flexible, moving with the natural expansion and contraction of wood and metal.
3. Synthetic paints are statically charged and so attract dust.
4. Natural paints ‘breathe’ negative ions which purify the indoor air and resist dust.
5. Synthetic paints contribute to ‘sick building syndrome’ causing headaches, eye irritation, and lethargy.
6. Most synthetic paints contain VOC’s. Short-term exposure may cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and blurred vision. Long-term exposure (i.e. all you painters out there) may cause asthma, emphysema, dermatitis, memory loss, and bladder and lung cancer.
7. The average indoor environment is 10 times more polluted than the external environment. So why not use paints that keep your indoor environment healthy? 

Tips: Each coat of plaster, primer and paint must cure fully before the subsequent coat is applied—otherwise your finish may remain odorous and tacky. Also, good ventilation is key—it speeds drying time and is healthier for the painter and the occupants. Use fans and open windows to allow for ‘offgassing’ (from VOCs). Make sure that each coat (plaster, primer, paint) is completely dry before applying the next coat. Visit www.greenseal.org for specific product information. 

Recipe for a homemade casein color-wash
1. Combine juice of 1 lemon with 1 liter of skim milk and set aside overnight in a warm place to curdle.
2. Strain mixture with cheesecloth and set aside curds.
3. Mix with color paste (make a color paste by mixing 4 tbsp dry mineral pigment with a bit of water)
4. Stir often and apply within a day onto walls prepared with a flat base coat.
5. Apply with 4-6 inch course brush in cross-hatch fashion.
(Suitable for rooms with low moisture—not recommended for bathrooms and basements).