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M. Landman Communications & Consulting
Low-VOC and Zero-VOC Paints

NOTE: This listing was developed in 2011, and is no longer up to date. Many new low-VOC and zero-VOC paints are available now, while some of these older product lines may no longer exist.

Most conventional paints contain and emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Some types of VOCs contribute to smog, and many VOCs are emitted or “offgassed” indoors and contribute to indoor air pollution. VOCs can cause respiratory problems and some are known carcinogens.

For a solid overview of VOCs and other toxicity issues related to paints and other types of coatings, download How to Select Less-Toxic, Low-VOC Paints, Primers, Stains, and Coatings (4-page, 120 KB, free PDF file).

Fortunately, almost every major paint manufacturer (and retailer) now has a low-VOC or zero-VOC wall paint product line; many of these products are also low-odor. NEW: Natural paints (plant- or mineral-based / non-synthetic) are listed towards the bottom of the page.


AFM Safecoat: Complete line of low-VOC and zero-VOC, low-odor interior and exterior paints, primers, stains, coatings, finishes, and sealers.
(Note: All AFM products are formulated to be low/non-toxic. No formaldehyde, ethylene glycol, ammonia, acetone, heavy metals, naptha or other aromatic solvents, crystalline silica, or other carcinogenic or hazardous materials.)
Most of AFM’s products are SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certified*

YOLO Colorhouse: Complete line of zero-VOC, low-odor, interior acrylic latex paints and primers. (No carcinogens, reproductive toxins, mutagens, formaldehyde, hazardous air pollutants, ozone depleting compounds, or phthalates. 100% recycled plastic containers; 100% post-consumer-waste labels with soy-based inks. Bio-diesel and rail shipping to reduce embodied energy.)
Green Seal certified*


Behr: Premium Plus low-VOC interior 100% acrylic latex series (and the interior/exterior high-gloss), and Premium Plus Ultra low-VOC interior 100% acrylic latex series paints (paint and primer in one)

Benjamin Moore: Eco-Spec zero-VOC interior acrylic latex paints and primers; Aura low-VOC interior and exterior acrylic latex paints; and Natura zero-VOC interior (acrylic vinyl/latex blend) paints and primers

Best Paint: Breathe-EZ zero-VOC interior and exterior, acrylic vinyl paints, primers, and coatings; and Interior low-VOC interior, acrylic vinyl paints

California Paints: Flawless Elements zero-VOC interior acrylic latex residential paints and primers; and Envirotech zero-VOC interior commercial-grade paints and primers

Cloverdale: Horizon low-VOC interior and exterior, acrylic latex paints and primer

Color Wheel (Comex): UltraTech zero-VOC interior, acrylic latex commercial paints

Coronado Paint: Air-Care zero-VOC interior, acrylic vinyl paints and primer

Devoe Paint (Akzo-Nobel): Wonder-Pure zero/low-VOC interior and exterior, 100% acrylic latex paints and primers

Dulux (UK): EcoSense low-VOC interior acrylic latex paints (for walls and ceilings; and wood and metal); reduced carbon footprint

Dunn-Edwards: ENSO Low-Odor, Zero-VOC interior acrylic vinyl paints and primer, and EcoShield

Duron: Genesis Odor-Free low-VOC interior acrylic latex paints (paint and primer in one); no crystalline silica

Dutch Boy: Clarity low-VOC interior latex paints and primer sealer, and Refresh zero-VOC interior paints

Frazee: EnviroKote Low-Odor zero-VOC interior acrylic latex paints and primer

General Paint: Z-Coat Enviro Friendly zero-VOC interior acrylic vinyl paints; and EnviroKote low-odor zero-VOC interior acrylic latex paints and primer

Glidden (Akzo Nobel): Glidden Professional LifeMaster No-VOC interior acrylic latex paints (note: LumiTec Technology brightening colors may require up to 20% less artificial lighting); Lifemaster Oil zero-VOC interior/exterior gloss paints; and Glidden Spred low-VOC interior (acrylic vinyl/latex blend) paints (paint and primer in one)

Kelly-Moore: Enviro-Cote low-VOC paints and primer, Green Coat zero-VOC acrylic vinyl paints and primers; and Acry-Plex primer (no alkylphenol ethoxylates: APE-free)
SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certified*

Kwal: EnviroKote low-odor zero-VOC interior acrylic latex paints and primer

InPro Corporation: InPro Armorwall 2500 acrylic latex heavy-duty paints/coatings
Green Seal certified*

Ivy Coatings: Ivy zero-VOC paints and primers, and low-VOC coatings (acrylic vinyl/latex blend); no formaldehyde, ammonia, crystalline silica, ethylene glycol, lead, mercury, or chromate

MAB Paints: Enviro-Pure zero-VOC interior acrylic latex paints (paint and primer in one)

Master Paints: Eco Pure low-VOC interior and exterior, acrylic vinyl paints, primer and sealer
Green Seal certified*

Mercury Paint: Everfresh zero-VOC interior acrylic latex paints and primer, and Conversion zero-VOC interior primer

Miller Paint: Acro Pure zero-VOC interior acrylic paints and primer
Green Seal certified*

Murco Wall Products: Murco LE-1000 low-VOC interior acrylic latex paints, primers, and coatings; Murco Hypo-Allergenic low-VOC interior acrylic latex paints, primers, and joint compound; and GF-1000 interior paint

Mythic Paint: Mythic zero-VOC, non-toxic, ultra-low-odor, interior and exterior, acrylic latex paints, primers, and coatings

Olympic Paint (made by PPG): Olympic Zero-VOC Premium interior acrylic latex paints and primers

Parker Paint: EnviroKote low-odor interior acrylic paints and primer

Pittsburgh Paints / PPG: Pure Performance zero-VOC interior, acrylic latex (w/ vinyl acetate ethylene resin) high-durability paints and primer

Progress Paint: Kurfees Fresh Air interior paints and primer

Rodda: Horizon exterior and interior paints, primer, and sealer

Sherwin-Williams: ProGreen 200 low-VOC interior vinyl acrylic pain for commercial use; Harmony zero-VOC interior acrylic latex paints and primer; Brilliance low-VOC interior ceiling paint (paint and primer in one); Pro Industrial interior or exterior paint for commercial or industrial use, acrylic gloss or semi-gloss coating; Pro Mar 200 zero-VOC low-odor interior commercial paints; and PrepRite Block Filler

Sico (Canada, Akzo Nobel): Ecosource zero-VOC interior acrylic latex paints, ceiling paints, primers, finishes; Crown Diamond Perfection line, Expert line, and some paints in the Design line are low-VOC.
Some paints in the Ecosource line are Green Seal certified* (Ecosource Primer-Sealer, Flat for Ceilings, Semi-Gloss, Velvet, and Melamine Finishes)

Southern Diversified Products: American Pride paints and primer, and Mother’s Touch paints

Spectra-tone Paint: Gold Label Premium Enviro interior paints

Valspar: Various low-VOC interior and exterior paint, floor paint, and coating products

V.ABC Paints (China): Ecobest Super Luxury elastic emulsion, and Ecobond Super acrylic exterior coating

Vista Paint: Carefree Earth Coat paints and primer


Exterior Paints: Most low-VOC paints are interior paints. It is noted above if a certain brand also offers a low-VOC exterior paint line.


NATURAL PAINTS
(plant- or mineral-based, rather than synthetic)

AFM Naturals
SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certified*

Anna Sova Paint

Bioshield Paint

Eco-House Mineral Silicate Paint

EcoDeVita (Shikoku)
SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certified*

Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co.

Real Milk Paint Co.

Sinan Natural Paints

Exterior natural paints (most of which are intended for use on stone/masonry/concrete walls) include: Keim Mineral Silicate Paint, Silicate Mineral Silicate Paint, Eco-House Mineral Silicate Paint, and Edison Coatings’ Evercote 300.

* This indicates the product certification status as of May 2011. For the current certification status of these and other paint products, please visit:
GreenSeal's certified paint list, and
Scientific Certification Systems' (SCS) certified products list

Other certification programs for low-emitting paints include GreenGuard's Indoor Air Quality Certified and GreenGuard's more stringent Children and Schools Certified programs.



For more information: Download How to Select Less-Toxic, Low-VOC Paints, Primers, Stains, and Coatings (4-page, 120-KB PDF file)

Related information to be posted on this website in the future:
Product listings of Low-VOC Coatings for non-wall applications (e.g., for wood, metal, concrete, etc.).