Toxic green paint refers to paints containing hazardous substances that can be harmful to human health and the environment. The green color usually comes from pigments like chromium oxide green or phthalocyanine green, which contain heavy metals like chromium and copper. While all paints require proper handling, some green paints have additional risks due to their toxic ingredients.
Common Green Pigments in Paint
Some of the most common green pigments used in paints include:
- Chromium oxide green (Cr2O3) – Contains hexavalent chromium, known to be carcinogenic.
- Phthalocyanine green (C32H3Cl13CuN8) – Contains copper, which can be toxic in high doses.
- Viridian (Cr2O3.2H2O) – Contains hexavalent chromium.
- Cobalt green (CoO.ZnO) – Contains cobalt which is toxic.
While many green paints use safer modern pigments, these heavy metal compounds are still found in some specialty or industrial paints. The toxic effects arise when the paint chips, dust or fumes are released during application and surface preparation.
Toxic Effects of Chromium and Copper
The main heavy metals of concern in toxic green paints are:
| Heavy Metal | Toxic Effects |
|---|---|
| Hexavalent Chromium | Carcinogenic, causes lung cancer. Linked to asthma, kidney & liver damage. |
| Copper | Gastrointestinal distress, liver or kidney damage in high doses. |
Chromium oxide green and viridian contain hexavalent chromium, which is a known human carcinogen. Even small amounts of chromium VI dust when inhaled over time can cause lung cancer. It can also trigger asthma attacks and damage the kidneys and liver. This makes paints containing these pigments a serious health hazard.
Copper is an essential nutrient but ingesting high doses can cause gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Very high copper exposure damages the liver and kidneys. While less toxic than chromium, copper intake from paint dust should be minimized.
Lead in Old Green Paints
Historically, lead compounds were added to paint to improve durability and hide imperfections. Lead chromate and lead-copper green were green pigments used in industrial and household paints starting in the late 19th century.
Lead is a neurotoxin that accumulates in the body over time. It can cause serious health effects like:
- Brain and nervous system damage
- Hearing loss
- Impaired growth and development in children
- Kidney dysfunction
Many countries began restricting lead in interior paints in the 1970s. But lead-based paints were sold until bans came into effect – 1978 in the US and 1992 in the UK. So old green paint on buildings pre-dating these bans likely contains high lead levels in addition to other metals.
Green Paint Hazards
The main hazard with toxic green paints comes when the paint deteriorates into chips or dust. This can happen when surfaces painted with old lead or chromium paint are sanded or scraped during renovations. Friction from opening old windows and doors also creates lead paint dust. Ingesting or inhaling lead dust is extremely dangerous, especially for children.
Some ways toxic green paint threatens health include:
- Inhalation of fine paint dust containing heavy metals
- Accidentally swallowing paint chips or dust
- Hand to mouth contact spreading contaminants after touching dusty surfaces
- Lead dust accumulating in soil around old painted buildings
Younger children are most vulnerable since they absorb lead more readily and are prone to putting dusty hands or objects in their mouths. But adults working with older green paints need proper protection too.
Testing for Toxic Green Paint
If your home was built prior to 1978 (US) or 1992 (UK), get the old green paint tested instead of scraping or sanding it. A lab can check paint chips for lead and other heavy metals. DIY lead test kits are also available but may not tell you about other toxins.
There are no federal limits on chromium in paints. But some states have set standards on levels considered hazardous:
| State | Hazardous Chromium Limit (ppm) |
|---|---|
| Maryland | 60 ppm |
| Minnesota | 60 ppm |
| Rhode Island | 600 ppm |
Urine tests can detect higher than normal chromium levels if exposure was recent. For those with very high exposure, blood tests may be needed.
Safe Handling of Toxic Green Paints
If your old green paint does contain hazardous levels of lead, chromium or other substances, take precautions to handle it safely:
- Avoid dry scraping, sanding or blasting which creates dust. Use chemical strippers.
- Wear goggles, gloves, face mask and protective clothing when working with old paints.
- Seal off work area from rest of house to control dust spread.
- Use plastic drop cloths when painting to collect fallen chips and drips.
- Clean up diligently using HEPA vacuums, wet mops. Avoid brooms stirring up dust.
- Double bag waste before disposal in hazardous waste facilities.
- Wash hands and face each time after handling paint or waste.
Pregnant women, children and those with existing conditions should avoid exposure from working with old lead and chromium-based paint altogether.
Alternatives to Toxic Pigments
Safer green paint alternatives are available today using organic pigments with low toxicity:
| Non-Toxic Pigment | Color Produced |
|---|---|
| Chlorophyllin copper complex | Blue-green |
| Disazo green | Greenish yellow |
| Naphthol green | Strong green |
| Phthalocyanine Green G | Green |
These modern pigments create bright permanent greens safely. Avoid paints labeled “chrome” or verify they use safer chromium III compounds.
Disposal and Abatement
Lead-based paint removal done improperly can spread more dust. It’s best to hire certified abatement professionals for large scale paint removal projects. They use containment practices to prevent environmental lead contamination.
Waste and debris from lead and other hazardous paints requires special disposal:
- Store waste sealed and labeled as hazardous.
- Contact local health department for disposal instructions.
- Disposal facilities may require analysis for metals content.
- Incinerators may recover and reclaim metals for recycling.
Following safe practices when handling old green paints can limit exposure to toxins. Use caution until paints can be properly tested and hazardous ones abated if needed.
Conclusion
Toxic green paints contain heavy metals like lead, chromium and copper from older pigments that can cause serious health effects. Lead-based paints and chromium pigments like chromium oxide green pose the biggest risks if the paint deteriorates. Always check for these before sanding or scraping old green paint. Follow safety measures to control dust and properly dispose of paint waste. Modern green paints use safer organic pigments so check that hazardous pigments weren’t used if the paint’s age is unknown.