Safer alternatives to conventional paints

■ Milk paint - A mixture of casein, a protein found in milk, and earth pigments, milk paint has a smooth matt finish suitable for interior walls and furnishings.

 

■ Lime wash - Made from lime and natural pigments, lime wash gives walls – exterior and interior – a soft, weathered look.

■ Natural/organic paints - These are usually made from vegetable and mineralextracts bound with natural oils or resins. Some natural paints still contain conventional pigments such as titanium oxide and natural solvents that can be low-level irritants.

■ Voc-free paints - These have the same make-up as con- ventional paints, but exclude the harmful VOCs. They tend to be expensive.

■ Low-voc paints - These are made from petrochemicals but with reduced levels of VOCs. They may still contain harmful chemical additives.