Water managementWater management is the activity of planning, developing, distributing and optimum use of water resources under defined water polices and regulations. It includes:

management of water treatment of drinking water, industrial water, sewage or wastewatermanagement of water resourcesmanagement of flood protectionmanagement of irrigationmanagement of the water table

Integrated urban water managementIntegrated urban water management (IUWM) is a philosophy of varying definitions and interpretations. According to the authors of the book entitled, "Integrated Urban Water Management: Humid Tropics", IUWM is described as the practice of managing freshwater, wastewater, and storm water as components of a basin-wide management plan. It builds on existing water supply and sanitation considerations within an urban settlement by incorporating urban water management within the scope of the entire river basin.[1] One of the early champions of IUWM, SWITCH is a research program funded by the European Union and seeks to shift urban water management away from ad hoc solutions to a more integrated approach.

IUWM is commonly seen as a strategy for achieving the goals of Water Sensitive Urban Design. IUWM seeks to change the impact of urban development on the natural water cycle, based on the premise that by managing the urban water cycle as a whole; a more efficient use of resources can be achieved providing not only economic benefits but also improved social and environmental outcomes. One approach is to establish an inner, urban, water cycle loop through the implementation of reuse strategies. Developing this urban water cycle loop requires an understanding both of the natural, pre-development, water balance and the post-development water balance. Accounting for flows in the pre- and post-development systems is an important step toward limiting urban impacts on the natural water cycle.[

Eco Friendly PaintsAs one thinks about painting a lot of ideas and worries come up. One of the most prominent worry is how to cope with the smell of the paints and how to escape the dizziness, nausea etc. caused by the airborne chemicals. Indoor air is upto 3 times more polluted than the outside because of lack of ventilation. Paints release low amounts of toxic emissions into the air for

years after application. The source of these toxins is a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, until recently, were considered essential to the performance of the paint. These VOCs posed a great threat to the health of the individuals and the environment.

Eco Friendly Paints as a Solution

Natural paints, Zero- VOC paints, low-VOC paints are the main types of Environment friendly paints that are now available in India.

Natural Paints: These are paints that use natural raw ingredients like water, plant oils and raisins, plant dyes and essential oils. Water based natural paint does not smell and the oil based ones have pleasant fragrance.

Low- VOC Paints: As the name suggests, these types of paint contain very little amount of VOC and are not very harmful to the environment. “Low-VOC” paints must meet the EPA standard of a maximum 200 grams volatile compound per liter of paint. Varnishes are awarded a limit of 300 grams.

Zero VOC Paints: Ultra low-VOC paints are labeled “zero-VOC.” EPA restriction on these paints is with less than 5 grams of volatile compound per liter. These types are best used if there are small kids or expecting women in the house while the painting is ongoing.

Types of Eco-Friendly Paints Available in India

Asian paints, Nerolac paints, Berger paints have all come up with their range of non-toxic, eco-friendly paints that are safe and do not cause much health problems.

Although these paints are priced high when compared with the ordinary paints, it is still opted for considering the health point of view. It is better to go for non-toxic paints, if you are thinking of painting your house and you have small kids or elderly parents staying with you. By opting for eco-friendly paints you are saved the trouble of visiting your doctor during and after the painting process.

The next time you revel in the intoxicating scent of “fresh paint” and take that second sniff, know that it isn’t great for you – the smell is nothing but greenhouse emissions from not so pleasant chemicals that vaporize at room temperature.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon based chemicals found in paint that easily evaporate at room temperature. They are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. Concentrations of these compounds are 10 times higher indoors than it is, outdoors.

Exposure to VOC can cause wheezing, pulmonary infections, obstructive bronchitis, asthma and many other upper airway irritations in children. Exposure to VOCs is also known to cause pulmonary malfunctions in the elderly. Long term exposure to VOC is known to increase the risk of cancer, liver damage, kidney damage and also damage to the central nervous system damage.

Before your paint turns on you, here are some healthier options to try out, both for you and the environment:

Eco-friendly paints today come in various types – Natural paints, Zero VOC paints and low VOC paints. Natural paints only natural elements in the ingredient list – water, plant oils, resins, plant dyes and other essential oils. An identifying factor of natural paints is that it does not smell unlike oil based paints.

Low VOC paints contain low amounts of VOC and are considered not very harmful either to the environment or humans. This is usually labelled on the can. Ultra low VOC paints are usually labelled as zero-VOC paints, usually used when there are children or pregnant women living at home.

Environmentally friendly paints you get in India:

Asian Paints

Their higher range of paints and emulsions are all low VOC and are free from lead, heavy metals and other hazardous chemicals. They include the Royale, Royale Shyne & Apex Ultima.

ICI Dulux

All brands bearing the dulux brand have low VOC and do not contain added lead, mercury or chromium.

Kansai Nerolac

Nerolac prides itself on being the first company in India to validate that all their products are either low or No VOC.

More than that, these paints provide a large variety of colours and textures to choose from, so we do not have to compromise on quality or aesthetic appeal, so there is absolutely no reason to overlook them and let’s hope that none of us go running back to our usual home-polluting and hazardous paints and choose the eco-friendly way for better health, better homes and better lives for our families.

More takers for the green paints Photo: K. Ananthan

COLOURFUL SPRAYS: Consumers have a wide range of paints to choose from now. — As buildings that are eco-friendly and green get popular so are such construction products – paints, for instance. The options for consumers have moved beyond the realms of colour range and finish. Paints are now environment-friendly, odour free, fragrant and much more.

According to M. Bhuvanasundar, chairman of the Coimbatore chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects, though concrete and brick work exposed walls are still common in several places in the North, paints are mainly used as a protective cover to the inner wall, to get a better finish and for aesthetics.

Of late, awareness is improving about green buildings and use of eco-friendly products give credentials to these buildings as these materials are made from recyclable sources.

Normally, eco-friendly paints have low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and are not harmful in terms of toxicity, etc. Use of these materials is becoming mandatory for green buildings.

However, more awareness should be created among customers on these products and their benefits.

The Property Plus takes a look at some of these paints and the demand for such products:

Muthukumar S. Iyer, Product Manager of Nippon Paints, says that a number of educated customers now ask for paints that are free of heavy metals and have low VOC level. “We are moving towards water-based paints.” At Nippon, the VOC is almost zero. Repainting is normally postponed by consumers due to the odour that persists for some days.

The odour-free paint that Nippon has does not pose this problem. The company is also creating awareness about the harms that are caused when some of the heavy metals are used in paints.

Rajeev Menon, senior zonal manager of ICI Paints (Dulux), says paints normally contain heavy metals such as lead and chromium.

These should be within permissible levels. If not, the paints can have harmful effects over a period of time. Dulux has a Safety, Security, Environment and Health Policy and educates its customers and painters on these issues.

It recently opened a paint studio in Coimbatore and saw a trend among customers, who walk into it, asking about eco-friendly paints.

Premium Semi-Gloss Enamel from Asian Paints is water-based and is supplied mainly for projects. This is an eco-friendly paint, which is lead-free and meets the European standards.

It is mostly used by institutions such as hospitals where repainting is made easy with this product. The entire enamel range from Asian Paints has been made lead-free since April this year, says a company representative.

Mr. Bhuvanasundar is confident that usage of these paints and other eco-friendly materials will go up in the future with more awareness.

M. SOUNDARIYA PREETHA (http://www.hindu.com/pp/2008/06/01/stories/2008060150010100.htm)

Difference Between Eco Friendly & Normal Paint

A quality eco-friendly paint emits little or no odor.

Although paint is available in a rainbow of colors, not all paints are green. As a rule, it's easy to spot the difference between an eco-friendly paint and a conventional paint: just pop open the lid and take a whiff. The familiar fresh paint odor of a conventional paint consists of a variety of greenhouse gases and other environmentally harmful chemicals that are released to the atmosphere as the paint is applied. In contrast, eco-friendly paints emit little or no environmentally unsafe materials into the air.

Conventional Paint and VOCs

When you open a can of conventional paint what you'll see is a creamy blend of plasticizers, adhesives, hardeners, pigments, biocides, drying accelerators, solvents and more. The solvents used in conventional paints are Volatile Organic Compounds. VOCs help hold the ingredients in a blended state while the paint is liquid, but they escape to the air when the paint is applied. Outdoors, VOCs combine with other airborne pollutants to create smog. Indoors, VOCs and plasticizers contribute to unhealthy indoor air, and extended exposure to these hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) can lead to respiratory and metabolic illness, headaches and a host of other disorders. Conventional paints may continue emitting trace portions of VOCs, biocides and plasticizers for more than a year after application (See Reference 1, 2, 3).

Low-VOC Paints

EPA regulations allow interior water-based house paints, for instance, to contain up to 250 grams of VOCs per liter of paint. Many communities have set the bar lower; in San Francisco, flat wall paint is limited to 50 grams per liter (g/L). Some paint brands feature house paints with 50 g/L VOCs, and paints that are free of VOCs altogether are now common as well. Paint companies often tout these products as an environmentally friendly option, but the eco-reality is a bit more complicated. These products may still contain HAPs, and adding colorants to some low-VOC paints can kick the VOC measurement up as high as 190 g/L (See References 4, 5).

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Certified Green Paint

While paints with reduced levels of VOCs are more eco-friendly than conventional paints, some house paints have an even lower environmental impact. Homeowners can select premium-grade zero-VOC paints that also use VOC-free colorants, are free of vinyl and other plasticizers and include no toxic biocides. Independent organizations such as Green Seal, Greenguard and Ecolabel test paints to ensure that they have met the highest standards of eco-friendly performance. You can recognize these paints by the environmental certification seal on their label (See Reference 3, 6).

Natural Paint

Casein paints are made primarily from milk proteins, lime, and non-toxic pigments. This may be the most eco-friendly paint available, but it's not without some practical drawbacks: the paint is not nearly as durable as modern coatings and color choices are limited. Casein paints are usually supplied in powder form and should be mixed with water immediately before application. These paints were commonly used in 18th and 19th century American homes in locations such as colonial Williamsburg

Eco-Friendly PaintProtect the air quality inside your home with this guide to zero-VOC and low-VOC paints.

By Lesley Young

4.475525

Nowadays you’re faced with a bigger decision than colour when shopping for paint. Most major brands feature low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) or zero-VOC options. VOCs are vapours that come from solvents used to produce paint, and they pollute indoor air during and after painting. Lack of fresh-air ventilation, combined with a buildup of contaminants such as VOCs from paint, can affect the quality of air we breathe inside our homes.

Some VOCs are more harmful than others. After exposure to these toxins, some people experience symptoms including eye, nose and throat irritation or headaches. At least one study showed that children who sleep in bedrooms containing fumes from water-based paints and solvents are two to four times more likely to suffer allergies or asthma. The good news is that our government is taking steps to limit VOCs in paint. Meanwhile, use these tips to find the least-polluting paints.

Guide to pollution-free paint

Read product labelsThe simple rule is the lower the VOCs, the safer and healthier the paint. Generally, a low-VOC paint contains less than 50 g/L before tinting; zero-VOC paint has less than 5 g/L before tinting. This means that even zero-VOC paints emit a trace amount of fumes, but will be ultra-low-odour compared with conventional paints.

When in doubt, check VOC levels with the manufacturer Unfortunately, many labels on paints don’t account for the VOCs in colourants added at the store, which can boost VOCs right up into the hundreds. “Quite often, 80 or 90 per cent of paint stores carry solvent (oil)-based tints,” says Kevin Royce, at Eco Building Resource in Aurora, Ont. Ask if your paint can be tinted with no- or low-VOC colourants. Or shop from this list of paints containing low or no VOCs after tinting.

Look beyond “green” labelsA few paints are independently certified as low-VOC by EcoLogo. These include Sico paints carried by retailers across Canada. Be aware that these contain more than 50 g/L of VOCs after tinting.

Choose latex, not alkydMost oil-based alkyd paints contain far more VOCs than water-based latex paint. If you must use an oil-based paint (for example, for a popcorn stucco ceiling or to cover stains), look for brands with the lowest VOCs, such as Benjamin Moore’s Advance, which uses VOC-free colourants. Similarly, most stains contain VOCs above 50 g/L. An exception: AFM Safecoat DuroStain (13 g/L).

Go flat over glossyThe flatter the sheen of the paint, the lower the VOCs.

Choose lighter over darker coloursThe lighter the colour, the less tinting is required and the lower the VOCs. In fact, many brands that claim to have low or zero VOCs are referring to their white untinted paints.

Consider milk paintsThese paints require preparation (add water and mix) and some knowledge to use (for example, you need a milk paint bond product to use the paint on drywall). But synthetic-free milk paints from companies like Canada’s Homestead House use raw, organic ingredients and are zero-VOC even after tinting.

Don’t be deterred by quality concernsLow- and zero-VOC paints go on just as well as traditional paints, says George Zarogiannis, president of Ecopainting Inc. in Toronto. “There really is absolutely no difference between the two anymore.”

Lastly, what about recycled paint? It’s relatively new but a few brands on the market, such as pre-tinted Rona Eco, are low-VOC. Some brands don’t publish specific VOC levels. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer directly.

LOW- AND NO-VOC PAINTS

Don’t be fooled by labels boasting low or zero VOCs: often they refer only to the paint’s white base before tinting. Mixing in colourants may add significant VOCs (or none at all, depending on the brand). The following meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s paint regulations for low-VOC (under 50 g/L) or zero-VOC (under 5 g/L) before tinting, and do not exceed Canadian standards after tinting. For the safety of your family and indoor air quality, use paints with the lowest VOCs possible.

Zero-VOC paints

AFM Safecoat Benjamin Moore Natura Farrow & Ball interior finishes Homestead House Mythic Paint

Low-VOC paints

Behr Premium Plus Interior Benjamin Moore Aura Interior C2 LoVo (white, pastel, mid-tone and some

accent base colours are low-VOC) Sherwin Williams Harmony

YOLO Colorhouse Inside Rona Eco recycled paint