VOCs are carbon-based solvents that evaporate from a coating as it dries and contribute to indoor air pollution. A low-VOC product keeps that content below a stated threshold — commonly under 50 g/L for interior wall paints — while VOC-free formulations are effectively at or near zero.
Reading the claim
Always check whether the figure is measured on the base product or the tinted product, since colourants add VOCs. Independent certification carries far more weight than a marketing label.
Why it matters for green buildings
Green building rating schemes award credits for low-emitting interior materials, so VOC content is a specification requirement on many institutional and commercial projects, not just a health preference.
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Reviewed by
Arch. Nusrat Jahan
Sustainability & Specification Lead
B.Arch, LEED Green Associate
See our technical advisory panelStandards referenced
- —ISO 16000-9: Indoor air — emission of volatile organic compounds
- —EN 13300: Water-borne coating materials for interior walls and ceilings
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