What are the VOC limits for interior paint sold in New Brunswick and why do they matter?

Interior paints sold in New Brunswick must comply with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s national VOC limits — and in practical terms, every can of paint on the shelf at hardware and paint stores across Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John already meets these limits.

VOCs are the carbon-based chemicals in paint that evaporate as the paint dries. Health effects from VOC exposure range from mild (headaches, eye irritation) to more serious with prolonged exposure (respiratory irritation, central nervous system effects). Children, elderly individuals, and people with asthma are most vulnerable.

The federal limits set maximums by product category. For flat interior wall paint, the limit is 50 grams of VOC per litre. For non-flat interior wall paint (eggshell, satin, semi-gloss), the limit is 150 g/L. For context, a low-VOC interior latex typically contains 10-50 g/L, and a zero-VOC formulation is generally under 5 g/L. Older oil-based alkyd paints could contain 300-500+ g/L.

Why this matters for your NB home: New Brunswick homes are tightly sealed from November through April — windows stay closed and the house runs on recirculated forced-air heat. Choosing a zero-VOC or low-VOC interior paint for bedrooms, nurseries, and living rooms is a straightforward health decision. Premium low-VOC options like Benjamin Moore Aura ($75-90/gallon), Sherwin-Williams Emerald ($80-95/gallon), or Dulux Lifemaster ($55-70/gallon) perform as well or better than conventional formulations.

Note that tinting a zero-VOC base can add VOCs back if the colourant used is not zero-VOC itself. Ask your paint store to confirm they use zero-VOC tinting systems if you need a deep colour.

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