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Apartment Therapy has published a guide to choosing interior paint with lower VOC content and chemical emissions, based on advice from a BEHR sustainability executive. It says VOC levels, emissions, odor and paint performance are separate considerations, and recommends checking certifications and including primer in the decision.
Apartment Therapy has published a guide to choosing eco-friendly interior paint, explaining how homeowners can compare VOC content, chemical emissions and odor rather than relying on a single label. The report, produced in partnership with paint maker BEHR, also says primer and product performance should be considered alongside environmental claims.
The guide defines volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as compounds that can evaporate into the air during painting and as paint dries. It says VOCs can contribute to indoor air pollution, making VOC content one factor to weigh when choosing paint for rooms used frequently, such as bedrooms. It does not present VOC content as a complete measure of a product’s emissions or overall environmental impact.
Greg Williams, BEHR’s director of sustainability, told Apartment Therapy that VOC content, chemical emissions and odor are related but distinct. The guide says a zero-VOC product can still release small amounts of chemicals as it dries, while low odor by itself does not establish that a paint has low VOC content. It advises readers to check multiple product attributes and certifications.
The article lists BEHR interior paints it describes as low VOC, under 50 grams per liter, and says those products are GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions. It also identifies BEHR Premium Plus as a zero-VOC option with that certification. BEHR ECOMIX, highlighted in the report, is described as zero VOC, low odor and GREENGUARD Gold certified, with at least 20% plant-based ingredients and USDA biobased certification. These are product details reported in a manufacturer-partnered article, not an independent comparison of paint brands.
Why Paint Labels Need More Than One Number
For homeowners, the guide’s main practical point is that zero VOC is not a complete emissions guarantee. VOC content describes one aspect of a paint formula; emissions certifications address chemicals released into the air, and odor is another separate characteristic. Comparing those details can help buyers choose products that better fit their priorities, particularly when painting indoor spaces.
The distinction also limits what a label can establish. The article does not say that any paint is entirely free of chemical emissions, nor does it offer health-risk assessments for specific products. A certification or a low-VOC figure is useful information, but shoppers still need to read product documentation and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, ventilation and drying.
Primer can affect the overall choice, too. The guide advises matching primer to the wall’s needs—such as general preparation or stain blocking—while checking its VOC and emissions information. Choosing a lower-VOC topcoat alone may not address a buyer’s concerns if the primer used underneath has different characteristics.
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How the Guide Defines Paint Claims
The report is an Apartment Therapy consumer guide written in partnership with BEHR. Its central source is Greg Williams, the company’s sustainability director, and much of the product information concerns BEHR and its related KILZ primer lines. That relationship matters when interpreting the article’s product examples and performance statements.
Among the primer examples, the guide describes KILZ 2 All-Purpose as low VOC and GREENGUARD Gold certified, and KILZ 3 Premium as low VOC at less than 5 grams per liter and GREENGUARD Gold certified. It also names water-based options for more difficult stain or odor problems. These are product descriptions provided in the report; the article does not compare them with competing brands or independently test their claims.
The guide also separates paint performance from VOC level. Williams says coverage and color depend on factors including pigments, resins, the paint base, wall condition, application and the size of the color change. The report’s broader advice is to choose a product for the job and then assess the attributes that matter to the household.
“Look at the whole picture instead of one number.”
— Greg Williams, quoted by Apartment Therapy
What the Product Claims Do Not Establish
The source is a manufacturer-partnered article, not an independent review or comparative study. It does not provide test results for every product mentioned, compare the listed paints against alternatives, or independently verify each manufacturer claim. Readers should consult current labels and product documentation because formulas, certifications and availability can vary.
The report also does not define a universal threshold for what counts as “eco-friendly,” or quantify the environmental impacts of manufacturing, packaging, application and disposal. It gives no health-risk comparison between the named products and paints with higher VOC levels. Its advice is limited to explaining VOC labels, emissions certifications, odor and selected product attributes.
The supplied article text ends during its discussion of color and coverage, so its full final explanation is not available here. It is not clear whether the original report includes additional qualifications or recommendations beyond the material provided.
Check Current Labels Before Painting
Homeowners comparing products can start by checking the VOC figure and its unit, then look for emissions certifications and any odor or ingredient information relevant to their needs. They should review the primer as well as the topcoat, match both to the wall condition and project requirements, and confirm that the selected product is intended for the surface and room.
Before buying, readers can verify certification status and product specifications through current manufacturer materials and certifier information. The source does not identify a scheduled follow-up, new regulation or upcoming product announcement; the next step described by the report is a more informed comparison at the point of purchase.
Key Questions
Does zero-VOC paint mean no chemicals enter the air?
No. The Apartment Therapy guide says zero VOC refers to VOC content, while emissions are a separate measure. A zero-VOC paint can still release small amounts of chemicals as it dries.
Does low odor mean a paint is low VOC?
Not necessarily. The source says odor and VOC content are related but distinct, so buyers should check the product’s stated VOC level and emissions information rather than using smell as a substitute.
Does choosing low- or zero-VOC paint reduce coverage?
The report says VOC level does not inherently determine color or coverage. It cites pigments, resins, the paint base, wall condition, application and the scale of the color change as factors that can affect results.
Should primer also be low VOC?
If VOC content, emissions or odor informed the topcoat choice, the guide says to include primer in the decision. Select a primer that suits the wall and project, then check its product information and certifications.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
