Hazardous chemicals and additives are among the least expensive and most widely used ingredients in the coatings industry, perpetuating a legacy of environmental damage for generations to come. Many petroleum and water based paints and finishes contain toxic additives that are designed for a narrow short term benefit (such as killing fungus, mildew, or insects). With the increase of environmental regulations, many paints and finishes have been forced to reduce the VOC contents of their products. (VOCs are a large family of carbon-containing compounds which are emitted or evaporate into the atmosphere where they participate in photochemical reactions. Some VOCs contribute to stratosphere ozone depletion, while other VOCs are toxic and/or carcinogenic.) While the reduction of VOCs in paints and stains is a step in the right direction, there is still a long road to go to truly protect the environment and the consumer from the wide variety of toxins that are used by the coatings industry.

The Environmental Protection Agency is mandated to watchdog all toxic ingredients within products. What many people do not realize is that when a product has an EPA registration number, this means that it contains toxic ingredients that must be monitored. The fact that the product is registered with the EPA does not mean it is safe to use--it means the opposite! Products registered with the EPA contain toxic or dangerous ingredients. So one good way to ensure that you are using a product that is safe both for the environment and the applicator is to seek out products that are not registered with the EPA. These products have no need for regulation, since they contain benign ingredients which are not harmful to the atmosphere, earth, or user.

Toxic ingredients can impact the human body either by affecting the respiratory system, the eyes and/or the skin. Within the paint industry the respiratory system is the most significant route for poisoning. Substances used in the formulations of coatings, which can be inhaled, are primarily the vapors of volatile liquids and solids. Paints frequently contain skin-degrading solvents, as well as a variety of pigments and miscellaneous additives, many of which can be physiologically active chemicals. Human skin allows the passage of toxic substances. Propane sulfone, widely used as a paint vehicle, has been identified as being a powerful carcinogen and can cause cancer on skin contact.

Consumers can contribute everyday by refusing to purchase products which contain hazardous ingredients or offer inferior performance. And since paints and finishes are so widely used within both the home and commercial realms, choosing to use non toxic, environmentally safe paints and finishes can greatly reduce the amount of toxins emitted into the air, water and earth.

Toxic fumes, dangerous fungicides, and other hazardous ingredients are the technology of the past. Here at Weather Bos™ we are dedicated to protecting the environment by offering consumers a choice. Our premium blends of natural oils and resins are designed to penetrate and bond, forming a durable and beautiful finish for quality conscious consumers and applicators. Weather Bos™ manufactures a complete line of environmentally safe paints and finishes to protect most interior and exterior surfaces. All our formulas are low odor, water reducible, non flammable, and contain sunscreens, trans-oxides, and/or U.V. stabilizers to help reduce damage due to climatic conditions.

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