In case you’re as sensitive to paint fumes as I am (and yes, I tried the no-VOC and still got sick), I just wanted to let you know that Sherwin-Williams makes a paint line with minimal additives that’s designed for use in hospitals and schools.
The funny thing is, I love Sherwin-Williams paint. The only reason I don’t use it more often is the closest one was all the way in South Philly — or so I thought. It turns out there’s one of their stores less than a half-mile from my house! (The manager said they had a Google search problem they finally got straightened out, because they weren’t turning up in the results.)
The manager said the big-box stores throw a lot of additives in there to increase the profit margin, whereas most paint stores have paint that’s mostly paint. (This is true. It’s something I learned this morning after I found a online message board for professional painters, who were complaining about the respiratory effects of the no-VOC paints.)
The young woman who was waiting on me said, “Do you have a latex allergy?”
The light bulb went on. “As a matter of fact, I do,” I said. “But paint? It applies to paint fumes?”
Yeah, I guess it’s an issue.
I hadn’t even thought of the latex angle . . .
That’s very interesting. I had no idea. I just hired a professional painter who lives near me to help me with remodeling a small bathroom, paint some furniture and re-stain my mother’s deck. He uses Sherwin Williams paints, and now I know why.