We use paints for beautification and protection at home, and when exposed to air, these VOCs spread throughout the house. Everyone living in the house is affected by this, especially children and the elderly. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), VOC levels are up to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. Therefore, all raw materials responsible for VOCs in paint production should be avoided or kept to a tolerable limit. When purchasing a product, the quality must be ensured through the low VOCs label on the container or a certificate.
How VOCs Are Measured
VOCs are measured in grams per liter (g/L), especially for paints, coatings, and adhesives. The lower the number, the safer the product.
| VOC Level | Range (g/L) | Category |
| Severe High | > 250 | Very harmful |
| High | 100–249 | Unsafe for frequent indoor use |
| Medium | 50–99 | Moderate impact |
| Low | < 50 | Acceptable |
| Very Low | < 5 | Best for green-labeled products |
Many modern paints now advertise Low-VOC (<50 g/L) or Zero-VOC (<5 g/L) certifications. For example, Berger Paints (Bangladesh) and other multinational manufacturers have achieved VOC levels as low as 11 g/L in exterior products, aligning with EPA Method 24 and EU Directive 2004/42/EC standards.
Berger Paint (BD) Limited controls a large share of the paint market in Bangladesh, and all their water-based products are under the low VOCs category. For the past few decades, they have been working tirelessly with eco-friendly paints and go-green initiatives, which clearly demonstrates their commitment to the health of their customers and the environment. In addition, all other local and MNC companies will have to gradually bring their products to low VOC levels.
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