Are you thinking of painting your house or your beautiful nursery before the baby arrives, but what alarms you? Is the paint safe for your little ones? Are you worried that it might cause an allergic reaction?
Relax!!
You can make your walls look prettier with baby-safe paints available across UAE. It’s a win-win situation for parents. Most of the paints available in the market now are non-toxic.
Before we dive into the details, let’s know the differences between generic emulsion and child-safe paint.
What could be the difference? Doesn’t all the paint has chemicals in them? These are all the questions that pop into our heads. Well, there is a huge difference. Most of the paint has a formula that has ingredients like nonylphenol ethoxylate, ethylene glycol, and formaldehyde. Some paints have components like metals, crystalline silica, phthalates, fungicides, biocides, etc, which makes them toxic. On the other hand, baby-safe paints are made with no- VOC and non-odor and non-toxic ((i.e., no silicates or lead) that are very safe for babies and kids.
What is in the paint?
To get that matte or oily finished look to your house, paint must have four main elements. They are:
- Binders
- Additives
- Solvents
- Pigments
The roles these individual elements play are crucial to getting the desired results. Binders keep the color on the surface while pigments add color and sheen. Solvents in the paint act as the liquid and additives thicken, stabilize, de-foam, or preserve.
Are there any harmful health effects of paint exposure?
As mentioned earlier, most of the paints available in the UAE are non-toxic, so it is unlike to cause any serious damage to adults. Infants and young children are more susceptible to cause health issues like respiratory or sometimes developmental issues from the inhalation of fumes emitted by the paint ingredients. So it is advised that parents take extra precautions in discussing with the professionals to find out how safe the paint is for your babies and what are the components in them before you choose to refurbish your house or nursery.
The common symptoms seen on children are:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Eye irritation
- Vision trouble
- Respiratory issues
What do we look for in baby-safe paint?
- Check for the VOC, also known as Volatile organic compounds. They are the ones responsible for the paint fumes. Have you realized that after painting your room you get this strong odor? This is because these substances present in the paint dry quickly at room temperature, evaporating and releasing a strong odor. So if you are considering giving a fresh coat to your house and want a child-friendly option, then make sure you check out zero VOC or low VOC on the label.
For parents who are looking for other safe choices, there are paints available in the market which are anti-bacterial and also air purifying. However, these are very limited, expensive, and are not sourced on a wide scale.
- Choose Water-based paint – Choose water-based paints rather than oil-based or solvent-based paints. Latex (also known as acrylic) paints are water-based, and they release fewer chemicals as they dry.
- Keep an eye out for additives – These additives are great for giving a long-lasting result, killing mildew, and even acting as a pesticide but of course not without costing your health. This extra ingredient can be a problem for those who are sensitive.
- Avoid ingredients containing APE – This chemical is called alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and their subtypes like nonylphenol ethoxylate are found in some paints. Though there is not much scientific research to show how much damage it can cause to humans, there are studies that show reproductive and developmental problems in rats. Therefore, it’s best to avoid this ingredient.
Applying zero-VOC paint, the room should be safe to use within a few hours. It is best to wait for 48 hours after painting the house to avoid any allergic reactions. Children are sensitive, especially during their early years; therefore give your room the time to breathe before you put your babies in the room.
Are you still thinking about where to look for baby-safe paint? Don’t worry! We at Najmat Al Miraj, located in the heart of Dubai, provide zero- VOC, non-toxic, and baby-safe painting services which not only keep your family safe but also transform your entire space. We provide the best painting services for the most affordable price in Dubai. Contact us to get a free consultation for painting or repainting at +971 55 675 8308.