Choosing Wall Paint that is Safe for Health

Although it does not look dirty, the wall can actually be a place for germs to breed, you know. Therefore, it is important for you to choose wall paint that is safe for your health so that your beloved family at home is protected from infection with these germs.

Germs are small organisms that can cause disease. One of them is bacteria. Bacteria can survive in a long time even though not in the human body, including when stuck to the walls of your home. From there, bacteria can enter the body and cause various diseases, such as urinary tract infections, strep throat, even pneumonia.

How can germs and bacteria stick to the wall?

Other bacteria and germs, such as viruses and fungi, can move through the wind, dust, flies, or human hands. They can stick to walls, household furniture, kitchens, bathrooms, and corners of your home.

In objects made of cloth, such as curtains, sheets, or tablecloths, bacteria can survive for 21 days. Meanwhile, when attached to home furniture made from plastic (polyethylene), such as bathtubs, trash cans, or a dipper, they can last up to 22-90 days.

Meanwhile, if it clings to the wall, the bacteria can survive for a long time, depending on the humidity level of the wall, pH, and the type of wall paint used. A study revealed that even after 7 days, bacteria can still live on the surface of the wall.

How to Choose Paint that is Safe for Families

Because germs are invisible, many people think that the walls of their homes are clean of germs. In fact, if you use a microscope, you can see millions of bacteria and mold on the walls of the house. Some of these germs can even divide every 20 minutes.

So that family health at home is always maintained, there are several ways to choose wall paint that is safe, namely:

Pay attention to the VOC content

Most wall paints contain VOC (volatile organic compounds) which is quite high. VOCs are chemicals that can evaporate and cause health problems, especially if inhaled too long.

Therefore, you are advised to choose house wall paints that contain less VOC, such as water-based paint which dries faster.

Choose wall paint that contains silver-ion

Silver-ion is a particle of silver metal that has been proven to be able to resist killing bacteria and other germs. Silver-ion itself has been used in the medical world as an antimicrobial coating on various kinds of medical equipment, ranging from medical devices to medicines to heal wounds.

In fact, silver-ion is also often used in paints covering hospital walls. So, by choosing wall paint that contains silver-ion, bacteria, and germs that stick to the walls of your house will die, so it does not interfere with your family's health.

Avoid wall paint with lead content

Lead is a metal that is very toxic and can cause health problems. This metal is known to cause damage to the brain and nervous system and interfere with the growth process in children. While in adults, this metal can cause fertility disorders to nervous disorders.

To protect your family, pay attention to the levels of lead in wall paint in your home. The maximum allowable lead limit is 90 ppm. However, it is better to choose a paint that does not contain lead at all.

In addition to paying attention to its contents, choosing a wall paint that is easy to clean is also very important. The reason is, the walls of the house need to be cleaned regularly, but not all paint can survive if repeatedly cleaned.

Well, from the above explanation it can be concluded that good paint is a safe ingredient, is not easily contaminated with bacteria and germs or that contains silver-ion, and is easy to clean. By choosing this quality wall paint, not only does the house look beautiful, but you can also protect your family from the threat of disease.

However, besides that, do not forget to adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious food every day, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and controlling stress so that your immune system is strong to fight germs.

If during the process of painting the house or after the house is finished painting you or a family member experiencing headaches, nausea, dizziness, or shortness of breath, you should consult a doctor to get the right treatment.

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