When thinking about painting you new baby's room, you are probably thinking about one thing: color. Will you go with a traditional blue or pink or something more bold like a pattern or mural design? These decisions are all part of the fun of planning for your new baby. Just be sure that the finishes you use to add color to your room are healthy for your whole family.

The Lowdown on Lead

Prior to 1978, most homes were painted with lead-based paint. According to the EPA, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard to your family's health. However, lead paint that is deteriorating in any way (peeling, chipping, cracking, or chalking) is an immediate health hazard to you, your baby, and the environment.

Dust and paint chips from lead-based paint accumulate on floors, and near door jams and window sills. They can be inhaled or ingested through the mouth, and are particularly hazardous for little babies who tend to crawl on the floors and then put their hands in their mouths.

If you think your home might have lead-based paint, get it tested. Check out the EPA's website (www.epa.gov/lead) to find a list of EPA-certified labs where you can send in your paint chips to be tested. If the paint in your home does contain lead, call the National Lead Information Center (1-800-424-LEAD) to find out what you need to know about removing lead-based paint and avoiding exposure. On the EPA website you can also find a list of local businesses that specialize in removing or sealing lead-based paints.

Why Is Paint so Toxic?

Even after lead was removed from paints in 1978, a slew of chemicals remained that can be harmful to the health of you and your baby. The airborne chemicals released during painting, after the paint is dry, and as paint is removed, fall into a category of pollutants known as VOCs. VOCs are responsible for the harsh odor associated with fresh paint. They are potentially carcinogenic chemicals that evaporate easily and pollute the air. VOCs are released in the highest concentrations when the paint is still wet, but most paint will continue to emit harmful fumes for years afterwards.

The health hazards associated with VOCs are well documented. Because of this, the EPA has required all paint manufacturers to reduce the levels of VOCs in their commercial products. Still, some are better than others, so be sure you check your paint label carefully to make sure you find a product that will be healthy for your home.

Low and Zero-VOC Paints

Because of the environmental regulations set forth by the EPA and increasing consumer demand, many paint companies have developed new house paints that emit little or no VOCs. These paints use water instead of petroleum as a base and therefore reduce the level of harmful emissions. These paints also contain no or low amounts of VOC-emitting heavy metals and formaldehyde. Low-VOC paints must meet the EPA standard of a maxi-mum 200 grams of VOCs per liter of paint or 300 grams of VOCs per liter of varnish. This is less than half the typical VOC content of standard paints.

AFM (www.afmsafecoat.com) and Sherwin-Williams (www.sherwin-williams.com) both offer a wide range of low-VOC paints.

Even better than low-VOC paints are zero-VOC paints that contain five grams of VOCs or less per liter of paint. Try Safe Paint (www.safepaint.net) or American Pride (www.ecosafetyproducts.com).

Natural Interior Paint

Natural paints and wood finishes are often composed of natural plant dyes, oils, and waxes. Common ingredients include citrus, balsam, clay, chalk, and talcum. They do not contain any heavy metals or VOCs, so most natural paints do not emit any odors or biocide gasses. They are available as paint, primer, finish, sealer, stain, wax, although these products do tend to cost more than comparable products.

Clay Paint

One of the most common natural paints available today is clay paint. Clay paints are made primarily from earth-based minerals and use mostly water as a solvent. Colors range from natural earth tones to an assortment of blue, white, and orange tints. Clay paints adhere readily to most surfaces found inside a house and like most standard paints they require only two coats for full coverage.

The biggest drawbacks to clay paints are that they do not come in as many colors as standard paints, nor can they be cleaned as easily. Clay paints are also significantly more expensive than petroleum-based paint, so keep that in mind as you are planning the budget for your remodeling.

Lime Wash

Another eco-alternative to the standard petroleum-based paint is to use a lime wash. Limestone, a calcium-based mineral, is combined with water to form a simple, natural paint that is the basis of all whitewashes. Lime wash can be used indoors or outdoors and forms a unique, glowing finish that comes in a variety of colors. Unlike traditional paint products, lime wash actually sinks into the surface it's covering. Because of this, lime wash can only be used with porous materials such as brick, wood, plaster, and concrete; but not on drywall or previously painted surfaces.

To apply lime wash correctly, you will need to use several thin coats. And even though it is a 100 percent natural product, limestone is corrosive to both eyes and skin, so wear gloves and goggles during application.

Milk Paint

Another time-tested natural paint is milk-based paint. Milk paints are made with milk protein, or casein, which is separated from the milk and mixed with water, clay, and earth pigments to form a natural, eco-friendly paint. Milk paints are packaged in powdered form, making it lighter and easier to ship. The powder must be mixed with water and then used immediately (usually within hours to days) to prevent clumping. Milk, like clay, can only be used as an interior paint. But unlike clay, milk-based paints now come in a wide variety of colors.

Recycled Paint

Another eco-option when it comes to paints is recycled paint. A number of manufacturers have developed recycled content latex paint and primers. By incorporating unused stock and recovered paint into the mix, these paints are often less expensive than virgin paints while reducing the use of new materials and keeping the old paints out of the waste stream.

Paint Removers

It may be necessary to remove old paint (that is not lead-based) before adding new colors (especially if you are refinishing a piece of furniture).

Standard paint strippers are petroleum-based and contain a particularly harmful chemical called methylene chloride or dichloromethane.

Look for a methylene-free remover at your local hardware store. When performing your paint removal project, make sure the workspace is well ventilated and use gloves to keep unwanted compounds from absorbing through the skin. Do not attempt to use these chemicals if you are pregnant and keep young children out of the room where they are used for several days to reduce exposure.