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Describing the smell of some batches of Benjamin Moore's Natura paint as "horrid," two law firms filed suit against the paint maker today on behalf of a woman who claims she had to move out of her home because the odor was so strong. Filed in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, the complaint initiates a class action suit, according to Lexington Law and Scott + Scott LLP.
According to court papers, Marlene Sway, the plaintiff, painted several rooms in her California home with Natura paint in 2009. Soon after she noticed a foul odor and areas where the paint failed to dry, according to the complaint. She eventually moved out.
Claims for Natura paint on Benjamin Moore's website say it is "virtually odorless" with "zero VOCs in any color." Still, discussions of problems with some batches of the paint can be found on several do-it-yourself websites including the DIY chatroom. "Help," wrote sbrackett123. "Painted two weeks ago with Benjamin Moore's Natura, "greenest" paint. No VOC. Two weeks after painting, the smell has not gone away. Still a paint smell. I fear I am stuck with this smell."
"Coincidentally my Ben Moore rep was in today and gave me a list of Natura batches that are being recalled for exactly the reason you mentioned," was the reply from mazzonetv. Apartment Therapy also has a long thread on Natura paint with comments from both fans and detractors.
Last summer Benjamin Moore issued a product replacement notice to retailers for Natura paint, according to the complaint. The class action suit is seeking compensation for homeowners who used earlier batches.
In our most recent report on interior paint, we tested Benjamin Moore's Natura eggshell, flat and semi-gloss and recommended both the Natura flat and Natura semi-gloss. Our readers comments on the paints were mixed.
—Mary H.J. Farrell
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