Did you know that building green can reduce operating expenses by 8 to 9 percent, increase building value by 7.5 percent and improve ROI for building owners by 6.6 percent?

Paint selection is weighted in the green building guidelines based on VOC levels, or the level of Volatile Organic Compounds. So, what are VOCs exactly? They are the solvents in paints that evaporate and react with other elements in the air to create ground level ozone or smog. VOCs also create offensive odor and contribute to poor indoor air quality.

According to the EPA, VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches; nausea and even damage to your liver, kidney and the central nervous system.

With that being said, you may find it well worth it to use low VOC products. Luckily, a number of companies have recognized the need for safer products and have a variety available for purchase at reasonable prices.

PPG Porter Paints, for example, sells a variety of low to zero VOC products. Take a look at the benefits of Pure Performance.

Pure Performance is PPG’s zero VOC interior paint option available in any of our more than 2,000 colors! A paint that is environmentally gentle, yet offers superior performance, is a hard combination to come by in the building industry. This is an exceptional product, well suited for families with young children, people with asthma or simply for those who wish to make use of safer products.

There is a huge push to read nutrition labels for food nowadays. Make sure you’re also aware of product and ingredient labels. The products you live and breathe in everyday can have just as much an impact on your health as the food we eat.