By Bill Willis

When the camera are rolling, people generally have a lot more to worry about that what kind of paint is covering the set.  But day in, day out, set painters cast and crew can be exposed to toxins.

In the paint industry, ingredients that have the potential to be hazardous are commonly classified as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.  Some coatings can contain as many as 100 different VOCs, and indoor accumulations of these chemical can be 50 to 100 times greater than in outdoor air.  Exposure is not limited to those using the paint, as the majority of emissions from latex paints occur after the coating has dried.  This exposure may be even greater in the motion picture business because sets are constructed, painted and filmed in before the paints have "cured".   Ever notice the "fresh paint" smell on a set?

How can you protect yourself and your cast and crew from volatile paint emissions?

Look for low- or zero-VOC coatings and check the manufacturers' Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) on line for more information about paint contents.  This may not reveal the whole story as the manufacturer need only list toxicological information for substances that constitute more than 1% of the total volume and are not considered part of the "proprietary blend".   So some products are better than others.

Safecoat(R) from AFM is a line of paints specifically designed for chemically- sensitive people.  It is free of toxic ingredients such as solvents, heavy metals, chemical residuals, formaldehyde and other harmful preservatives.  It is available in a full range of colours and finishes and can be custom tinted.

If you are not sure what paints are being used on set....ask!  Choose a good quality low-VOC finish because it is a great way to a healthier environment on set and on the planet.

For more information visit www.cbrproducts.com, a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of low-VOC coatings and specialty wood treatment products for the building industry.You can also reach Bill at 1-888-311-5339 or bill@cbrproductions.com