Why Buy A Low VOC paint?

With all the paints avaliable today why should we buy a low VOC paint?  and what is a low VOC paint?!?

In my experience using many different kinds of paint, a low VOC or "volatile organic compounds" is at the front of the line for what we can exspect paint products to be in the world of eco frinedly and less hazordious to our families and our environment.  Lets start with a little back ground info on what is a low VOC paint.

VOCs are unstable, carbon-containing compounds that readily vaporize into the air. When they enter the air, they react with other elements to produce ozone, which causes air pollution and a host of health issues including breathing problems, headache, burning, watery eyes and nausea. Some VOCs also have been linked to cancer, as well as kidney and liver damage.

As paint dries, these harmful VOCs are released into the air at high levels. Indoor VOC levels are routinely 10 times higher than outdoor levels, and up to 1,000 times higher immediately after painting. Although VOC levels are highest during and soon after painting, they continue seeping out for several years. In fact, only 50 percent of the VOCs may be released in the first year.  VOC's were once widely thought to increase the quality of a paint but new methods and products have changed that outlook.   That being said no matter what your situation is, a low VOC paint is what we should all be looking towards in our next weekend warrior project.