The simple answer is yes and no as each case is different from individual to individual and depends on what ingredient acts as a trigger and sets off a reaction. It would be irresponsible for any paint company to claim that their products were completely safe, we do however fully declare all of our ingredients to help establish wether one or more may be problematic. We also highly recommend trying out some tester pots first if you have allergies to safely know if the there may be problems or not. The general consensus is that most allergy sufferers are more easily able to tolerate our paints as they are water-based and VOC free. This is the reason we received the highest rating in Proof's report on chemical free paint. Please see our fuller response below.
How do allergies occur?
Allergies are external signs of a very complex oversensitivity of the
human immune system to substances foreign to the human body. The
external reaction of the body to a certain substance does not
necessarily uncover the true cause of the allergy. A simple
cause/reaction relationship, on the one hand the cause, on the other
the typical reaction, cannot be cited. Complaints showing similar
symptoms can have been caused be a multitude of different irritant's.
Allergies are always a sign of an excess of irritation or stress on the immune system caused of foreign matter. The almost avalanche like increase of new chemicals is particularly significant; that is substances tailored for one single purpose of application, for whose effects the human organism is not prepared, whose long term effect is not known and which are always tested on people first. Natural paint substances however are familiar to the human organism even though they come from remote countries, There are no new substances introduced here, A demara resin belongs to the same class of terpene hydrocarbons as a pine or spruce resin: Indigo is also present in the mid-European (colouring) woad.
Can the chemical industry come to the rescue of the allergy sufferer?
Basically: NO
Additional tailor-made alternatives to familiar allergy-inducers merely
promote the increase of chemicals in the environment and thus
inevitably add to the strain of the immune system. This then forms the
basis for new allergies. Superficial success is followed by the worse
scenario: the alternative chemicals of today breed the allergy suffers
of tomorrow.
What does AURO offer as a concrete solution to allergie-suffers?
There are no easy answers for allergy suffers.
Allergies are known to be entirely individual problems with their own
reaction mechanism. Often it is not even the substance matter, which
causes an acute irritation, that is the real allergy-inducer.
Therefore there cannot be a universal easy remedy for the allergy
sufferer (as in the motto " We produce no allergy-inducer'').
Individual treatment under responsible and, above all, expert medical
supervision is of the essence. People who give any other impression
act irresponsibly: their own economic interest is more important to
them that the good of mankind.
Frequently allergies occur
through the use of cosmetic and washing and cleaning aids because the
body if often and repeatedly exposed to these substances. Likewise,
quite often allergies are caused by food and medicines. On top of that
these are the contact - allergies caused by constant contact with
metals (earrings, trouser buttons). Finally we are familiar with
allergies to household dust and pollen. Allergies to components of
paints and varnishes, including those made from natural raw materials,
can show similar distinct symptoms, but they are more rare.
Potential allergy induces in conventional paints
When an allergy to traditional paints exists, the causes can be
solvents (white spirit, isoaliphates) or synthetic resins (epoxy
resins, iso-cyanats. polyurethanes). In principle every made
-to-measure chemical in paints and varnishes is a potential allergy
inducer when for example a solvent is exposed to the air or when a
person is in frequent contact with it (professionals).
Potential allergy inducers in natural paints
Natural substances too, can cause allergic reactions, especially if
there is a history of complaints induced by chemicals. Essential oils
which are present in nature as volatile aroma essence, make excellent
solvents in natural paints, but are possible irritants. Similarly,
natural resins and the oxidation products of plant based oils can cause
irritation. However pollen residues in beeswax are totally harmless as
they are bonded and therefore immobile.
Raw materials friendly to the allergy sufferer at the cost of the environment
A change to non-allergenic and less active raw materials in cosmetic,
Medicines or, for that matter, varnishes and paints, can only be
related to current levels of knowledge: the long term risks and the
extent to which allergies will be induced, is as yet unknown. In
principle every substance and especially every foreign substances can
cause allergies. Inevitably, the less active substances accumulate in
the environment and from these they in turn put pressure on the immune
system. a ,,blend "of nature and chemistry is therefore short sighted
an can only be self-serving.
Of vital importance: to discover what one is allergic to
When sensitivity or allergy to a certain product is suspected, one must
first find out exactly which substance(s) the allergy-inducer consists
of. The first AURO aid at the "guessing" stage of an allergy is the
total exposure of every raw material contained in the relevant product
(the chemical industry should follow us in this respect). With the
help of this full declaration early suspicions can either be confirmed
or dismissed. As a second aid we
offer every person suspected of suffering from allergies a small sample pot
of your desired product for specialists ' tests. If indeed
sensitivity to one of these substances used in Auro products is proven, we can seek alternatives as there are several
products available for one application, the most desirable solution for
you will hopefully be found.
Only through individual consultation and responsible behaviour can the most favourable ecological and toxicological conditions be achieved.
