Sarah Hipp, a mom of a child who attends a Williamson County School, has started a petition on change.org asking the schools to change their policy regarding the use of paints and/or heavy chemicals during school hours.
This issue became apparent to her when her daughter got sick, states her petition.
“She had extreme coughing and breathing problems, pain and swelling in her sinuses, a red puffy face and eyes, and difficulty focusing. She was blowing her nose constantly and sleep was difficult. She had developed a raging sinus infection, which we went to the doctor for twice in as many weeks. She was put on two regimens of heavy duty antibiotics and steroids, to help the swelling and pain, as well as her breathing.”
Her daughter told her the the paint fumes at school were bothering her.
“My child has an extreme sensitivity to chemical and environmental causes, and I have no doubt this was a huge contributing cause of her illness,”Hipp writes in her petition.
Hipp then reached out to her local community to find out if any other parents had come across this issue. She recieved over 40 responses from parents of children who were suffering headaches, nausea, sleeplessness, and other symptoms.
“No parent was notified beforehand that the school was going to be painted indoors over the course of several weeks. Parents were not given the opportunity to prepare, voice their concern, talk to the nurse or health officials or principals beforehand,” the petition states.
Williamson County Schools (WCS) has a policy in place that allows the use of zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint.
“I would like to see this policy of allowing painting during any school day to be terminated. In this day and age of allergies and sensitivities, it is unconscionable that this practice is allowed. I invite you, please, to sign the petition so that all of our kids can breathe easier.
I know we all love our kids, and I personally appreciate what a wonderful education, with wonderful teachers, my children are receiving at WCS. But this policy needs to be undone, for the safety of our kids. Thank you so much!”
As of Feb 9th, the petition has 198 signatures. You can read the petition in full here and sign.
What are VOC’s?
Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC’s are solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. Other products emit solvents, including adhesives, cleaning supplies, and even some home furnishings.
VOC’s are released into the air once the paint is on the walls, during the drying process. Once these gases are in the air you’re breathing, they could lead to dizziness or a bad headache. How many VOCs enter the air depends on what kind of paint you have. Normal indoor VOC levels usually stand at about 50 percent more than outdoor air (Source).
According to eartheasy.com, any paint with VOC’s in the range of 5 grams/litre or less can be called “Zero VOC”, according to the EPA Reference Test Method 24. Some manufacturers may claim “Zero-VOC’s”, but these paints may still use colorants, biocides and fungicides with some VOC’s.
“The base of paints be free of VOCs, but when any pigment is added at the point of sale, the VOC level climbs as high as 150,” states Consumerreports.com. Paint with less than 250 grams of VOCs per liter is considered low-VOC paint.
Exposure to VOCs can result in eye, nose and throat irritation, dizziness, nausea, breathing problems and may worsen existing allergies and asthma. Children may experience these symptoms more than healthy adults when exposed to VOC’s. The best way to prevent symptoms is to use zero VOC paint and follow ventilation instructions.
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