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Apartment Therapy has published a guide to choosing paint with lower volatile organic compound (VOC) content, with advice from a sustainability director at paintmaker BEHR. It says VOC content, chemical emissions and odor are distinct measures, so shoppers should check product details and relevant certifications rather than relying on one label.
Apartment Therapy has published a guide to choosing paint marketed as lower in volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, explaining how shoppers can compare VOC content, chemical emissions and odor. The report, produced in partnership with BEHR, includes advice from Greg Williams, the company’s director of sustainability, and says no single label tells the whole story about a paint’s indoor-air emissions or performance, as explained in this guide to non-toxic, zero-VOC paints.
VOCs are compounds that can evaporate into the air during painting and as paint dries. The report says they can contribute to indoor air pollution, making VOC content one factor to weigh when selecting interior paint. But it cautions that a zero-VOC label does not mean a product releases no chemicals at all, and a paint’s odor is not a dependable measure of its VOC content.
Williams told Apartment Therapy that buyers should distinguish between what is in the can, what a product emits, and what people smell. The guide recommends looking at product-specific information and emissions certifications alongside VOC figures, including when comparing vapor barrier paints. It identifies GREENGUARD Gold certification as an independent test for low chemical emissions; that certification is separate from a product’s stated VOC level.
The report also says primer should be part of the decision if reducing VOCs, emissions or odor is a priority. Primer selection depends on the wall and the job, including whether the surface needs general preparation, stain blocking or stronger adhesion, while choosing an interior color can also benefit from these vintage-inspired paint colors. Apartment Therapy lists several BEHR and KILZ products as examples, but these are company products described in a report produced in partnership with BEHR, not an independent comparison of the full paint market.
Labels Shape Indoor Paint Choices
For homeowners, the distinction between VOC content and chemical emissions matters because labels can sound interchangeable when they measure different things. Comparing only a VOC number may not answer questions about what a finished product releases into indoor air, while relying on odor alone can also mislead. Checking the product’s technical information and any emissions certification gives buyers more specific information to weigh.
The issue is particularly relevant when painting rooms used frequently, such as bedrooms, as the report notes. It does not establish that any particular product is risk-free, nor does it quantify health outcomes. Instead, it offers a way to ask more precise questions of product labels and manufacturers, while keeping paint performance and the needs of the wall in view.
The guide also challenges the assumption that lower-VOC formulas necessarily mean poorer coverage or durability. Williams said VOC level should not be used as a proxy for performance. That is a statement from a representative of the paint company featured in the report, rather than independent test results comparing all products.
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What Paint Labels Measure
Low VOC generally describes paint made with a reduced amount of volatile organic compounds; it is not, by itself, a certification of sustainability, quality or emissions. The article gives BEHR product examples labeled low VOC at less than 50 grams per liter, and describes other company products as zero VOC. Those figures and product claims are presented by the company through the sponsored report.
Zero VOC is not the same as zero emissions. The source says BEHR uses analytical testing to check whether finished paints meet its zero-VOC specifications, while emissions testing concerns substances released into the air. The article also describes BEHR ECOMIX as containing at least 20 percent plant-based ingredients and as USDA-certified biobased. These are product-specific claims, not evidence that every zero-VOC paint has the same ingredients or environmental profile.
Paint results can depend on factors beyond VOC content. Williams cited pigments, resins, paint base, wall condition, application and the size of the color change as influences on color and coverage. The article says primer can help with coverage, but its supplied text ends before completing that explanation, so it does not provide a full account of the effects or recommended application steps.
“Look at the whole picture instead of one number.”
— Greg Williams, quoted by Apartment Therapy
What the Guide Does Not Establish
The report does not provide an independent, side-by-side assessment of paint brands, nor does it quantify health risks or show that one certification guarantees a product is harmless. Its product examples and performance descriptions come from a piece produced in partnership with BEHR, and the statements about the company’s formulations are attributable to the company or its representative.
The source material supplied here also cuts off during its discussion of how primer affects coverage. It does not include the complete final explanation, detailed application guidance, or a full comparison of certification standards. Buyers should check current labels and technical documents for the exact product they plan to use; availability and formulations may vary.
Check Labels Before You Paint
For homeowners planning a project, the practical next step is to compare the paint and primer together. Check the product’s stated VOC content, look for emissions testing or certification, and match the primer to the wall’s condition and the task, such as stain blocking or adhesion. Follow the manufacturer’s label and application instructions, including any ventilation advice.
The source does not announce a regulatory change or a forthcoming product launch. It is a consumer guide, so the next developments for readers are likely to be product-specific: reviewing current formulations, comparing available documentation and selecting a paint suited to the room and surface. The report does not specify an update schedule or provide additional independent testing.
Key Questions
Does zero-VOC paint mean no chemicals are released?
No. The report says zero VOC refers to VOC content, while emissions testing measures what a paint releases into the air. It cautions that a zero-VOC paint can still give off small amounts of chemicals as it dries.
Does a low-odor paint have low VOC content?
Not necessarily. Apartment Therapy’s report, citing BEHR sustainability director Greg Williams, says odor and VOC content are different measures. A mild smell alone does not confirm a low-VOC formula.
Can lower-VOC paint still provide good coverage?
The report says VOC level does not by itself determine coverage or color. It cites other factors, including pigments, resins, wall condition and application. Its performance claims come from a BEHR representative, not an independent market-wide comparison.
Should primer also be low VOC?
If reducing VOCs, emissions or odor is part of the reason for choosing a particular topcoat, the report advises considering the primer too. Choose primer according to the wall’s condition and project needs, and check its own product information and certifications.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
