That fresh paint smell? Try fresh chemicals. Instead of coating your walls with harmful toxins such a formaldehyde and benzene, improve the air quality in your home by using safer paints, namely low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints. VOCs are carbon-based chemicals that emit vapors at room temperature. You can smell their strong, noxious odor easily, which makes it that much less surprising that they're a hazard to both human health and outdoor air quality. Look for low-VOC or no-VOC paints, and make sure you don't buy anything with over 160 grams per liter of VOCs. That way, you can breathe easier during your next home makeover.