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Apartment Therapy published a partner report explaining how to compare zero- and low-VOC paints, emissions certifications and product performance. Its main practical point is that VOC content, chemical emissions and odor are related but distinct, and primer should be part of the same decision.
Apartment Therapy has published a partner report explaining how homeowners can compare eco-friendly interior paints, with guidance on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), emissions, odor and primer. The report draws on advice from Greg Williams, sustainability director at paintmaker BEHR, and says that a VOC label alone does not describe everything a buyer may want to know about a paint’s indoor-air emissions or performance.
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 check when selecting interior paint, particularly for rooms where people spend substantial time. It also cautions that VOC content, chemical emissions and odor are different measures: a zero-VOC product may still release small amounts of chemicals as it dries, and a mild smell does not prove that a paint has a low VOC level.
The report distinguishes low-VOC paint, which contains a reduced amount of VOCs, from zero-VOC products. It cites BEHR products as examples, including several interior paints the company says contain less than 50 grams of VOCs per liter. The source also describes GREENGUARD Gold certification as independent testing against standards for low chemical emissions. These are product-specific details from a report produced in partnership with BEHR, not a comparison of the wider paint market.
For a more rounded selection, the guide recommends looking beyond one number and checking emissions information, certifications and the needs of the project. It also says to consider the primer alongside the topcoat: a lower-VOC finish does not answer questions about the primer’s emissions or odor. The report says VOC level alone does not determine color vibrancy, coverage or durability; pigments, resins, wall condition, application and the size of the color change also play a role.
How Labels Shape Paint Choices
The guide addresses a practical decision for people renovating or repainting indoors: labels such as zero VOC, low VOC and non-toxic can sound interchangeable, even though they do not describe the same property. Readers who focus only on VOC content may miss emissions testing, while those who choose paint by smell may mistake odor for a reliable measure of chemical content.
That distinction matters when comparing products for bedrooms and other frequently used rooms, the settings singled out in the report. It also affects planning: primer, wall preparation and application can influence the finished result, so selecting a topcoat in isolation may not meet a household’s goals for air quality or coverage. The article offers a framework for comparing claims, but does not establish that one label or certification guarantees a particular health outcome.
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What VOC Labels Actually Measure
The source is an Apartment Therapy partner article featuring information from Greg Williams, BEHR’s director of sustainability. Its product examples and performance statements concern BEHR and associated KILZ primers; the material does not provide independent testing across brands or a broader market survey.
In the report, “zero VOC” refers to a product’s VOC content, while emissions testing concerns what a paint releases into the air. Williams says BEHR uses analytical testing to verify its finished paints meet the company’s zero-VOC specifications. The source also describes BEHR ECOMIX as containing at least 20 percent plant-based ingredients and as a USDA-certified biobased product. Those statements are attributed to the company and should be read as product claims, rather than a general definition of eco-friendly paint.
““Look at the whole picture instead of one number.””
— Greg Williams, quoted by Apartment Therapy
What Product Labels Do Not Settle
The report does not compare independent test results for paints from different manufacturers or quantify how much emissions vary between products. It also does not specify a single VOC threshold that all consumers should use when choosing paint. Certification and VOC figures apply to particular products, and the source’s examples largely come from a company that partnered on the article.
Claims about performance, ingredient sourcing and sustainability are presented through the company’s product information and Williams’ comments. The report does not offer a lifecycle analysis comparing the paints, nor does it establish that zero-VOC paint has no emissions or health risk. A product’s odor, VOC content and emissions should not be treated as interchangeable evidence.
Checks Before Painting a Room
Homeowners can use the guide’s distinctions when reading product labels and technical information: check the stated VOC content, look for emissions testing or relevant certifications, and include the primer in the comparison. Match the primer and paint to the wall’s condition and the job, since stain blocking, adhesion and surface preparation can affect the outcome.
The source provides no new regulation, deadline or product launch schedule, so no further development is announced. Buyers should consult current product documentation for the specific formula they plan to use; the article does not resolve how products from other manufacturers compare or what emissions levels a particular household will experience during and after application.
Key Questions
What does VOC mean in paint?
VOCs are volatile organic compounds that can evaporate into the air during painting and as paint dries. The report says they can contribute to indoor air pollution.
Does zero-VOC paint mean no chemicals are released?
No. The report says zero VOC describes VOC content, not necessarily every chemical released into the air. A zero-VOC paint may still give off small amounts of chemicals as it dries.
Is low odor proof that a paint has low VOCs?
No. According to the report, odor and VOC content are separate measures. A paint with little noticeable smell is not automatically low VOC.
Does a lower-VOC paint affect color or coverage?
The report says VOC level does not by itself determine color or coverage. Factors include pigments, resins, wall condition, application and the scale of the color change.
Should primer be included when comparing paint?
Yes. The report advises considering the primer as well as the topcoat, especially when VOC content, emissions or odor are priorities. Primer choice should also fit the wall and the work required.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
