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Apartment Therapy published a guide to choosing interior paint with lower VOC content, explaining that VOC levels, chemical emissions and odor are different measures. The report, produced in partnership with paint maker BEHR, advises readers to assess certifications and primer as well as the paint label; product claims in the article are attributable to the manufacturer.
Apartment Therapy has published a guide to choosing eco-friendly interior paint, laying out how homeowners can compare volatile organic compound (VOC) content, emissions claims and certifications. The report was produced in partnership with BEHR, and its product examples and performance statements are attributed to the paint company’s sustainability director.
The guide explains that VOCs are compounds that can evaporate into the air during painting and as paint dries, and says they can contribute to indoor air pollution. It distinguishes three measures that consumers may encounter: VOC content in the paint, chemical emissions released into the air, and odor. The article says these measures are related but are not interchangeable: a zero-VOC label does not by itself establish that a product has no emissions, and low odor does not prove low VOC content.
Greg Williams, BEHR’s director of sustainability, says shoppers should consider more than one label or number. The article describes GREENGUARD Gold certification as an independent test for low chemical emissions and lists several BEHR paints as certified. Those product and certification descriptions come from the company and the partner-sponsored report; they are not independent comparative test results presented in the article.
The report also says primer belongs in the decision. If reducing VOCs, emissions or odor is a priority, it advises checking the primer’s attributes alongside the topcoat. Williams recommends starting with the wall’s needs, such as general preparation or stain blocking, and then narrowing products by the qualities the homeowner wants. The source lists several KILZ primers as low VOC or GREENGUARD Gold certified, with claims attributed to BEHR.
Paint Labels and Indoor Air
For homeowners, paint selection can affect more than color and coverage. VOCs can evaporate while paint is applied and dries, so the report frames VOC content and emissions as relevant considerations for rooms where people spend substantial time, including bedrooms. The article does not quantify health effects or compare exposure from different products, so readers should not treat a label alone as a complete measure of health risk.
The practical takeaway is to compare multiple pieces of information: VOC content, emissions certifications, odor claims, the intended use of the paint and the primer. A zero-VOC designation is not the same as zero emissions, and the report says color and coverage depend on factors such as pigments, resins, wall condition, application and the size of the color change—not VOC level alone. That distinction can help consumers avoid assuming that one environmental label answers every performance or indoor-air question.
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What the Labels Measure
In the report, low VOC means a paint has a reduced amount of volatile organic compounds; zero VOC refers to VOC content under the relevant product specification. Neither term alone describes every chemical that may be released as paint dries. The article’s central point is that content, emissions and smell are separate questions, so a useful comparison may involve both the product’s stated VOC level and emissions testing or certification.
The source gives BEHR product examples, including low-VOC interior paints it says contain less than 50 grams per liter, and a primer it says contains less than 5 grams per liter. These figures and product descriptions are company-provided examples, not a broad market survey. The article also describes BEHR ECOMIX as a zero-VOC product with at least 20 percent plant-based ingredients and USDA biobased certification; those claims are attributed to the manufacturer.
Limits of the Product Claims
The source is a partnered article and relies on BEHR’s sustainability director for its product examples and performance claims. It does not provide independent, side-by-side test data comparing brands, explain the testing details for every listed product, or establish how the products perform in every home or application. The exact publication date is also not provided in the supplied material.
The article does not set out a universal definition or threshold for every use of terms such as “low VOC,” nor does it quantify how much indoor pollution or exposure is reduced by choosing one product over another. Product formulas, certifications and labels can vary, so readers should verify current packaging and certification information for the specific paint and primer they plan to use.
Check Both Paint and Primer
Before buying, homeowners can identify the wall’s condition and project needs, then check the current product label and technical information for VOC content, emissions certifications and intended performance. They should assess primer and topcoat together, particularly when treating stains or other wall problems. The report offers no announced follow-up study or scheduled next development; its practical next step for readers is to verify product-specific claims before starting the project.
Key Questions
What does zero-VOC paint mean?
Zero VOC refers to the paint’s VOC content under the product’s stated specification. The Apartment Therapy report cautions that it does not automatically mean the product releases no chemicals as it dries.
Is low odor proof that paint has low VOCs?
No. The report says odor and VOC content are different measures. A paint’s smell alone does not confirm its VOC level or emissions performance.
Should primer be included when comparing eco-friendly paint?
Yes. If VOC content, emissions or odor influenced the choice of topcoat, the article advises checking the primer as well. Primer may also need to suit the wall’s condition, such as stains or adhesion needs.
Do low- or zero-VOC paints necessarily cover less well?
The source says VOC level does not inherently determine color or coverage. It identifies pigments, resins, wall condition and application as factors that can affect those results, while noting that this performance claim is made in a manufacturer-partnered report.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
