Alessandro Parella

 

'Forest Green' ... that's an environmentally-friendly name for paint but not an environmental friendly product. Paint is normally used to protect or improve the appearance of an object but this definitely does not apply for trees.

Most paints are made up of lead chemicals which are highly toxic.  Lead, a poisonous metal, can damage nerve connections and cause blood and brain disorders.  This can also be absorbed by the plants, mainly through the roots from soil solution, and thereby may enter the food chain.

Therefore, eco-friendly paint products, such as low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, should be promoted. So next time you fancy a new colour-scheme, check out green paint.

 

Alessandro Parella is a Form 1 students at St Thomas More Secondary School Zejtun and this article forms part of the Young Reporters for the Environment Project