A coat of paint has to flow smoothly, cover well, dry efficiently, look good, wipe clean and resist mold and mildew. The substances that have traditionally helped paint do these things add up to a long list of chemicals and other toxins  that continue to off-gas, or release, into the environment long after your nose stops noticing. But companies have started figuring out how to produce paints that get the job done without fuming us out of the house. So, read up on low- and no-VOC paints, ceramic paints, organic paints, recycled paints, and low-impact wall coverings.

Low- and no-VOC paints  
Oil-based paint is the biggest VOC culprit, so even for woodwork and trim, opt for latex instead - the newer low-VOC latex versions, which contain less smelly solvent than their predecessors, are capable of providing a hard, enamel-like coat, cost around the same as regular paint and come in a full range of colors. Higher still on the eco scale, and as much as double the price, are zero-VOC paints (if you add pigment in the paint store, you add VOCs; If you want to keep those compounds to a minimum, go for the lighter shades).
The greening
Choosing paints with low or no VOCs helps reduce contaminants in the atmosphere, as well as in our landfills.
The greenest
• Look for the Green Seal stamp on the side of the can. This voluntary certification program has established a standard of 50 grams per liter for flat paint or 150 grams for oils. Green Seal calls paint zero-VOC when it contains under five grams per liter. For nontoxic, washable interior paints that spread well and are great nursery colors, check out Yolo Colorhouse’s Little Yolo (yolocolorhouse.com/littleyolo).
* Dispose carefully of that not-quite-empty can: Find out about hazardous waste pickup or drop-off in your area (go to earth911.org), or recycle

Ceramic paint
Ceramic paint is the latest development on the less-toxic scene, and it’s great for kids rooms. Made by suspending miniscule ceramic beads in a latex base, the paint has a hard, scrubbable surface. Handprints and crayon scribbles? No problem.
The greening
All ceramic paints are amazingly durable - and the less often you have to repaint, the fewer vapors end up in the environment. They also insulate against cold and heat.
The greenest
• Paints that contain no chemical preservatives - the tough ceramic paint surface is naturally resistant to mold and mildew. O’Leary’s Ceramic Coat (olearypaint.com) has had good reviews but contains anti-microbials, which can be toxic.
• Hy-Tech makes an unadulterated ceramic additive that you mix into your paint (ceramicadditive.com).

Organic paints
Organics are the earth mamas of paints: They’re made with substances like milk protein, lime, beeswax and natural oils, instead of from petrochemicals, and are free not only from VOCs, but also from other chemicals, including those that contribute to good flow and coverage - which is why most organic paints don’t perform the way conventional ones do (expect some progress on this in the near future). Neither will you find a bubble-gum pink or lime green among them, since they’re pigmented with pure mineral dyes. Still, if you’re going for a vintage-style nursery or a bent-ply look and don’t mind the higher price tag, you can’t get much healthier than these paints. For a nursery range, check out BioShield’s Kinder Paint line (bioshield.com).
The greening
Organic paint manufacture, besides being petrochemical free, is also low-waste and uses energy-efficient machinery. Some companies, including Livos (livos.us), take the extra step of recycling the water that’s used in the process.     
The greenest
• Look at the content label: It should list no preservatives, fungicides or bactericides, all of which can contain toxins.

Recycled paint
Working with a small paint budget but still want to help the environment? Think about using inexpensive recycled latex. Manufacturers reprocess leftover product, usually blending it with new paint - anywhere from 20 to 80 percent - to make a range of colors. The greater the balance of new to recycled, the purer the colors you’ll get and the whiter the whites. Just remember, this is not a low-VOC product, so take care to air the room for a long time before baby uses it.
The greening
Some municipalities have established recycling centers for household paint, or are in the process of doing so (go to earth911.org). Check locally, also, for companies that recycle paint and accept drop-offs.
The greenest
• Those that carry the Green Seal stamp for recycled paint. Certified products in this category meet requirements for environmentally sound manufacturing, but not for VOCs. Since most recycled paint is sold in the same area where it is produced, check for availability at your local paint store.  

Wallpapers and decorations
Paper, ink, adhesive - these are not a recipe for environmental health. Among the problems they raise are toxic ink discharge and waste disposal, along with VOCs emitted by the wallpaper paste. Still, if you’re into pattern (and want to indulge your baby’s fascination with it) or need to hide an ugly surface, you’ll be glad to know that things are changing in the world of wall coverings.
The greening
The wallpaper industry has reduced the amount of solvents in its products, and a new low-VOC paste is available. Or you can use this recipe to make your own paste.
The greenest
 • Some manufacturers are using recycled paper (and even recycled pantyhose) and renewable pulps to make wall coverings. Among them are playfully embossed self-adhesive wall flats made out of bamboo pulp - a renewable resource - as well as some fun animal-shaped DIY recycled-wallpaper kits (inhanitliving.com). These products are designed for adults;  kiddie wallpapers are less likely to be green - or as cool looking.
• Another option: use low-VOC chalkboard paint or whiteboard paint to make a large blank canvas on your baby’s wall; soon enough, she’ll be able decorate her own room with colored chalk or whiteboard markers. You cvan even get magnetic chalkboard paint!