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All about wall paint without preservatives

Wall paints are now available on the market with and without preservatives. Paints containing preservatives have long been criticized for their potential negative impact on health. In particular, the biocide isothiazolinone in emulsion paints, which appears in many products as methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) or methylisothiazolinone (MI), is frequently mentioned in this context.

Consumers are often unsure when choosing paint and wonder how harmful a coating might be indoors. Below, we’d like to explain the topic in more detail and put your mind at ease so that you don’t have to miss out on a fresh coat of paint in your home.

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What are preservatives?

Preservatives are antimicrobial biocides that kill microorganisms or prevent them from spreading. They are used in many areas, such as food production and the manufacture of cosmetics, where they extend product shelf life. In paints, preservatives have the task of repelling pests with a coat of paint and protecting walls from mold growth. Many years ago, solvents were still added to wall paints. With solvents, paints did not need additional preservatives. Today, emulsion paints are no longer solvent-based but water-based, which means interior paint can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. For this reason, biocides such as isothiazolinones are used. However, especially in sensitive individuals and allergy sufferers, these ingredients can trigger allergic reactions, which is why preservatives must be declared on the containers.

Why are preservatives so problematic, and which ones are there?

There are a number of preservatives that are approved and some that are not. Isothiazolinones are approved preservatives and are found not only in wall paints. They are also contained in cosmetics such as shampoos, household cleaners and packaging materials. Wall paints bearing the “Blue Angel” eco-label may not be enriched with them. Emulsion paints with this quality label must be completely free of harmful substances and formaldehyde according to the criteria.

Many people today are allergic to isothiazolinones. The number has increased in recent years, which, according to a study, is closely linked to the cosmetics industry’s switch from parabens to isothiazolinones as preservatives. Shampoos, shower gels and cleaning products contain these compounds, bringing large numbers of people into direct skin contact with the preservative. According to estimates by the “Informationsverbund Dermatologischer Kliniken” (IVDK), fewer than one in 1,000 people in Germany are allergic to methylisothiazolinone, which is found in interior paints. Whether an allergic reaction occurs varies from person to person, but statistically it is very rare.

As mentioned at the beginning, there are different compounds:

  • Chloromethylisothiazolinone
  • Methylisothiazolinone (MIT, MI)
  • Benzisothiazolinone (BIT) as well as – less well known:
  • Octylisothiazolinone (OIT, OI)
  • Dichloroctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT, DCPOI)
  • Butylbenzisothiazolinone (BBIT)

In general, isothiazolinones are used in wall paints only in the smallest possible quantities – just enough to ensure the antimicrobial effect. Statutory limits and declaration requirements provide protection for people. Preservatives do serve a purpose in interior paints. Since there is usually no prolonged skin contact, most people do not show any allergic reaction. You can therefore use these paints for painting without concern. If in doubt, however, there is a very simple solution: opt for preservative-free wall paint. Our BAUFIX Maler-Raumweiß preservative-free, for example, is a highly opaque dispersion paint that has already been awarded the “Blue Angel” eco-label.

Are wall paints with the “Blue Angel” label safe?

New guidelines regarding the environmental label have been in force since 2020. While until not so long ago small amounts of preservatives were still permitted in wall paints with the label, this is no longer the case. Nor may they contain solvents, plasticizers or formaldehyde. Wall paints without the quality label must point out any preservatives they contain

and list them in the ingredients. “May cause an allergic reaction” is one such warning. If you are allergic to isothiazolinones, you should always use preservative-free wall paints. Note: Pollutants such as boron compounds, boric acid and borax are prohibited in all wall paints under the Biocidal Products Regulation. The same applies to silver ions.

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Advantages of preservative-free wall paint

Preservative-free dispersion paints have several advantages, especially for sensitive individuals. The interior paint does not burden the indoor air. Whether during painting or afterwards, there is hardly any odour when working with preservative-free paint, so the air in the room remains pleasant. This allows you to take a big step towards health safety. Good indoor air quality during renovation is particularly important in

areas such as children’s rooms, bedrooms and living spaces where you spend a lot of time. Preservative-free paint that is low in emissions and pollutants is ideal for renovation in these areas. A preservative-free coating is also a good choice for interior spaces in public buildings.

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Coverage of preservative-free wall paint

The opacity of interior paints, including preservative-free emulsion paints, is divided into opacity classes. These classes show you how well a wall paint covers. Opacity is legally defined in DIN standard EN 13300.

  • Opacity class 4: contrast ratio less than 95%
  • Opacity class 3: contrast ratio between 95% and 98%
  • Opacity class 2: contrast ratio between 98% and 99.5%
  • Opacity class 1: contrast ratio greater than or equal to 99.5%

If you plan to paint your wall with just one coat, you should choose at least opacity class 2, as with our preservative-free BAUFIX Maler-Raumweiß. You’ll find opacity class 1 in the preservative-free BAUFIX Ultra Opaque Paint and BAUFIX professional Premium Crystal White preservative-free.

Thus, the opacity of formulations with preservatives as well as of low-emission, plasticizer-free emulsion paints depends on the class in which they are produced.

The only difference compared to wall paints with preservatives is that preservative-free paints have a shorter shelf life.

Wall paint without preservatives – how do manufacturers do it?

Instead of preservatives, manufacturers of preservative-free wall paints rely on a high pH value of around 11.3. The formulations are intended to combat bacteria and mold in this way. The raw materials in the ingredients have to be well matched, as not every ingredient tolerates a high pH value. An example of a paint with a high pH value is lime paint.

What should you bear in mind when painting walls?

Make sure the room is well ventilated while painting so that the indoor air maintains a consistent quality. Even though paints without preservatives do not off-gas, they still ensure good indoor air quality while drying. If you are using paint with preservatives, air the room thoroughly every day for about a week and avoid skin contact. Wear painting clothes and adequately protect your hands. You can also wear eye and mouth protection. This will protect you sufficiently from splashes and odors.

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Recommendations for wall paints without preservatives

Make things easy for yourself and use BAUFIX solutions. Our BAUFIX Painter’s Room White is a preservative-free emulsion paint whose breathable properties and high opacity make it ideal for walls and ceilings indoors. Its satin sheen and high degree of whiteness create a cosy and healthy living atmosphere and indoor air. You can easily use it to paint mineral substrates such as masonry, concrete, plaster as well as building boards and wallpaper. You’ll achieve an extremely high coverage with BAUFIX Ultra Topcoat Preservative-Free. BAUFIX professional Premium Crystal White Preservative-Free is abrasion-resistant once dry and performs just as well on all mineral substrates as well as on building boards, wallpaper and old coatings. Do you still have questions or would you like advice? We’re happy to help and will find the perfect solution for your healthy living project.

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Our wall paint: BAUFIX Ultra-Cover Paint

  • Opacity class I according to DIN EN 13300 at 7 m²/l
  • Wet-scrub resistance class III according to DIN EN 13300
  • pearl white, silk-matt
  • perfect coverage
  • low-emission
  • for interior walls and ceilings