Isothiazolinone in Paint (AU)
Methylisothiazolinone and Benzisothiazolinone are Rampant!
Citizen Research Conducted in 2015 Reveals List of Unsafe Paints for those Allergic to Methylisothiazolinone and Benzisothiazolinone
by Karyn Myhill
I have only contacted and posted the results of companies whose paint is able to be easily sourced within Australia. I have only investigated interior paints as isothiazolinones are generally only used in water based paints. These products are all able to be purchased online.
Since companies can and do change their formulations without notice it is advised that if you find a product that you are interested in, please contact the company to investigate its specific current formulation.
Porters Paints
Do contain isothiazolinones. The company state there are two products that will not contain these preservatives.
Milk Paint
Milk Paint has a rustic, chalky appearance that delivers beachside style or country charm, instantly softening and ageing the look of new furniture and complimenting old. It is made from milk by-products mixed with powdered oxide pigment to produce subtle, mellow colours.
Boncote
Exterior cement paint Mythic paint Do not use isothiazolinones. However, paint is manufactured in a factory where isothiazolinones are used; therefore a possibility of trace contamination.
Resene Paints
Do contain MI/MCI Inspirations paint (Retail Paint company – only stock Dulux) Dulux All acrylic paints contain isothiazolinone. Oil based products will not.
Wattyl / Valspar
Do contain isothiazolinone.
Rockcote Paint
Do contain MI/MCI and close derivatives. Rockcote tints also contain isothiazolinones
Ecostyle Paint
Do not contain Isothiazolinones, however the material is manufactured in the same plant that does use these compounds therefore a possibility of trace contamination.
Haymes Paints
Do contain Isothiazolinones.
British Paints
Do contain MI / MCI
Painted Earth (Retail Paint Company)
Sell Rockcote, Volvox and Bio interior wall and ceiling paint.
See list for individual results. This company was extremely helpful.
Murobond Paints
Responded by stating “we are confident that the Murobond cement paint and mineral silicate paint products will be free of the chemicals mentioned, however, these products are generally used externally. They can be used internally, however as they are mineral based they are not washable.” NB: I can only assume their other paint products may contain isothiazolinones.
Taubmans Paint
Do not add isothiazolinones to their paint however this could be present in the raw materials they purchase prior to manufacture, therefore a possibility of trace contamination.
Berger Paint
Do add MI / MCI to their water based products
Ecolour Paint
This company refused to disclose ingredients. They stated while they were aware that many people had chemical sensitivities, different people react differently to different chemicals so I should buy a sample pot and see if I react! Mmmmm, no thanks.
Colours by Nature
Retail paint store/ company based in NSW, Australia.
Statement via email: “Our paints are plant and mineral based, not synthetic. I believe our manufacturers do not hide behind listing only main ingredients”. The company appears to be transparent and provided hyperlinks to the ‘technical data sheets’ of their internal paints. Available paints: BIO Paints – Bio wall paint and pigments – Interior & Bio water based enamels MI / MCI not listed on ingredients – no answer to my emails from the Bio paints manufacturer. I have sent a follow-up email today and will update if & when I receive an answer.
Volvox wall and ceiling paints & Volvox water based enamel
MI / MCI not listed on ingredients. The Australian importer of Volvox also could not find these listed on any product data sheets and stated “to my knowledge they have been used in cosmetics, cleaners and washing materials only and are not allowed any longer in the EU (the company is German).” Colours by Nature forwarded me the web contact for Volvox – their site is entirely in German with no option for translation. Thankfully I have a German friend who contacted the company on my behalf. Company response: Volvox paints do contain a combination of benz & methylisothiazolinone.
Paint companies who did not respond to my emails.
I have emailed the below companies again today and will post an update if and when I get a response.
Solver
Bio
Colourtrend / Australis
Summary
Personally, I will probably try Taubmans paint, due to cost and follow with a neutralising wash solution of 10% sodium bisulphite/bisulfite (1 part sodium bisulphite to 10 parts water - metabisulfite may work also, but not bisulfate) as suggested by page admin. I am only painting water damaged areas at present, not an entire room. I will update on outcome once we have painted.