Leo Martínez
Behr paint has been pushing the paint industry forward with its durable, high-performance, and environmentally conscious products. The company has a history of progressive chemistry, continuously improving its formulations to benefit both consumers and the environment. In 2019, Behr eliminated ethylene glycol from many of its formulations, and in 2020, it removed zinc pyrithione, a biocide/mildewcide, replacing them with better alternatives. While Behr's commitment to safer and more sustainable paint is evident, it is essential to explore whether any traces of ethylene glycol ethers and biocides remain in their products and understand the potential health implications associated with these chemicals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ethylene glycol ethers | Water-based paints may contain ethylene glycol, a respiratory irritant that can cause headaches and nausea, as well as reproductive and developmental problems. Ethylene glycol ethers are designated "E-series" when made from ethylene oxide. In 2019, Behr eliminated ethylene glycol from many of its formulations. |
| Biocides | Biocides are added to preserve paint but are often toxic and can linger in the air for years after painting. They are generally not listed on the label or the Material Safety Data Sheet due to their small quantities. In 2020, Behr eliminated zinc pyrithione, a biocide/mildewcide, and replaced it with a better alternative. |
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What You'll Learn
Behr paint has removed ethylene glycol from many formulations
Behr has long been committed to pushing the paint industry forward. The company's chemists have always sought to balance performance with responsible chemistry. As such, Behr has continuously improved its chemical formulations, removing solvents from paint and embracing water-based formulations.
In 2019, Behr eliminated ethylene glycol from many of its formulations. Ethylene glycol is a respiratory irritant that can cause headaches and nausea, as well as reproductive and developmental problems. It is a solvent found in water-based paints, which can also contain ethylene glycol ethers. Behr's removal of ethylene glycol from many of its paints is a positive step towards creating safer products for consumers.
Ethylene glycol ethers are designated "E-series" when made from ethylene oxide and P-series" when made from propylene oxide. E-series glycol ethers are typically found in pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, cosmetics, inks, dyes, and water-based paints, while P-series glycol ethers are used in degreasers, cleaners, aerosol paints, and adhesives. Most glycol ethers are water-soluble and biodegradable, and only a few are considered toxic.
Behr's progressive chemistry is part of its culture, and the company has a shared value of continuous improvement. In addition to removing ethylene glycol, Behr has also eliminated other harmful substances from its paint, such as lead compounds, ethoxylated phenols, and zinc pyrithione, a biocide/mildewcide. The company has also sought to minimize waste by recycling water and using recycled materials in its packaging.
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Biocides are added to preserve paint
Biocides are added to paint to preserve it and protect it from bacteria and fungi. They are also added to increase the shelf life of the paint and the paint film's resilience over time. The main biological threats to paints and surface coatings are fungi, algae, and bacteria, so the biocide additives to paints are mostly fungicides, algicides, and bactericides. Biocides are generally added to water-based paints, as these are susceptible to microbial contamination. Contamination can occur during manufacturing and packaging, as well as during storage, transportation, transfer, and usage.
Biocides are also added to milk-based paints, though this is less common. Milk-based paints are typically sold by green building retailers and are made from milk protein. They contain no VOCs or harsh ingredients and are mixed with water. However, they are not suitable for high-moisture areas like kitchens or bathrooms, and they may not be compatible with some existing painted surfaces.
The main biocidal actives used by paint manufacturers belong to the isothiazolinone family. This class of chemicals is under increasing pressure due to concerns for dermal sensitization. Other common biocides include formaldehyde, ammonia, Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), Chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT), and Benzisothiazolinone (BIT). These compounds are volatile and can be hazardous to the environment and human health. For example, formaldehyde is a carcinogen and asthmagen, and ammonia is a respiratory irritant and asthmagen.
Due to the health and environmental risks associated with biocides, there is a growing demand for products containing minimal amounts of biocides. Paint manufacturers are facing the challenge of meeting these expectations while also complying with strict regulations. Some manufacturers, like Behr, have eliminated the use of biocides and replaced them with better alternatives.
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Behr eliminated the biocide/mildewcide zinc pyrithione in 2020
Behr paint has been at the forefront of pushing the paint industry forward, offering durability, environmentally sound manufacturing methods, and improved formulations. As such, the company has continuously improved its chemical formulations, removing solvents and other harmful chemicals from its paint.
In 2019, Behr eliminated the use of ethoxylated phenols, replacing them with better alternatives, and removed ethylene glycol from many of its formulations.
In 2020, Behr continued its commitment to improvement by eliminating zinc pyrithione, a biocide/mildewcide, and replacing it with a safer alternative. Zinc pyrithione, also known as pyrithione zinc, is a coordination complex of zinc with fungistatic and bacteriostatic properties. It inhibits the division of fungal and bacterial cells and is used in treatments for seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff. It also exhibits antibacterial activity by disrupting cell membrane integrity and essential metabolic functions in bacteria.
The removal of zinc pyrithione from Behr paint is part of the company's efforts to make its products safer for consumers while also improving performance. Behr has successfully enhanced the durability, efficiency, and protective qualities of its paint without sacrificing environmental considerations.
Behr's commitment to sustainability and safety is further demonstrated by the fact that more than 90% of its coatings are water-based, with several products earning GREENGUARD® and GREENGUARD® GOLD certifications for meeting stringent emissions standards. The company has also minimized waste by recycling water and using recycled materials in its packaging.
In summary, Behr's elimination of zinc pyrithione in 2020 aligns with its progressive chemistry culture, where continuous improvement is a core value. The company has demonstrated its dedication to providing consumers with dependable, high-performance products that are also environmentally responsible.
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Behr paint is mostly water-based
Behr paint has been pushing the paint industry forward for years, offering durability, sustainably sound manufacturing methods, and improved formulations. Behr's chemists have always sought to balance performance with responsible chemistry, and the company has a strong commitment to improving its paint formulations.
Water-based paints are generally considered safer for consumers and the environment. However, it's important to note that water-based paints may still contain solvents and other additives that can be harmful. For example, some water-based paints contain ethylene glycol, a respiratory irritant that can cause headaches and nausea, as well as reproductive and developmental problems.
Behr has made significant strides in recent years to eliminate harmful chemicals from its paint formulations. In 2019, the company removed ethylene glycol from many of its formulations. The following year, in 2020, Behr eliminated zinc pyrithione, a biocide/mildewcide, and replaced it with a safer alternative. These changes demonstrate Behr's commitment to providing safer and better-performing paint to its customers.
While the majority of Behr paint is water-based, it's always a good idea to check the specific product details and safety data sheets to understand the exact composition and any potential hazards associated with the paint you're using.
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Behr paint is continuously improved to be safer
Behr paint has a long history of pushing the paint industry forward. The company has always sought to balance performance with more responsible chemistry, and its chemical formulations have continuously improved over the years.
In the 1970s, Behr embraced emulsification technology, which removed solvents from paint and paved the way for water-based formulations. This was an important step in reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint, as oil-based paints are a significant contributor to VOCs. VOCs are known to impact indoor air quality and are considered a household hazard.
Behr's commitment to improvement is evident in its efforts to make paint safer for consumers while also enhancing performance. In 2019, the company eliminated the use of ethoxylated phenols, a class of surfactants, and replaced them with better alternatives. They also removed ethylene glycol from many of their formulations. The following year, Behr took further steps by eliminating zinc pyrithione, a biocide/mildewcide, and replacing it with a safer alternative.
Behr's paint formulations are now predominantly water-based, with over 90% of their coatings falling into this category. This shift has significantly reduced VOCs in their products, and several Behr paint products have earned GREENGUARD® and GREENGUARD® GOLD certifications for meeting stringent emissions standards.
The company's progressive chemistry is a core part of its culture, and continuous improvement is a shared value. Behr's dedication to innovation and sustainability has resulted in advancements in paint durability, efficiency, and protective qualities, all while minimizing waste and using recycled materials in their packaging.
While it is unclear if all of Behr's paint formulations are entirely free of ethylene glycol ethers and biocides, the company's ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and environmental impact of its products are evident.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2019, Behr paint eliminated the use of ethylene glycol from many of its formulations. However, some water-based paints may contain ethylene glycol ethers as solvents. Since Behr paint is mostly water-based, it is possible that some of their paint products contain ethylene glycol ethers.
In 2020, Behr eliminated zinc pyrithione, a biocide/mildewcide, and replaced it with a better alternative. Therefore, it is likely that some Behr paint products still contain biocides, but in safer formulations.
Glycol ethers are designated as E-series or P-series. E-series glycol ethers are found in water-based paints, while P-series glycol ethers are used in aerosol paints. Most glycol ethers are water-soluble and biodegradable, and only a few are considered toxic. However, studies have shown that exposure to glycol ethers can increase the incidence of allergies and asthma, especially in children.
