CHICAGO, June 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to home improvement, the 60 million Americans living with asthma and allergies can breathe a sigh of relief: Valspar Paint today announces the debut of Valspar Plus®, the first paint certified asthma & allergy friendly™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

Valspar Plus® reduces airborne irritants during painting, improving the painting process for those with respiratory sensitivities. In addition to having zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be a trigger for people impacted by asthma and allergies, Valspar Plus® has no lingering odor. Once dried, the paint's antimicrobial properties help it to resist mold and mildew.  

"In listening to our consumers, we recognized an opportunity in the marketplace for a paint formulated specifically to address the needs of the approximately 60 million Americans who live with asthma and allergies," said Howard Heckes, senior vice president, Valspar Global Consumer. "In response, we developed Valspar Plus®, which allows people with respiratory sensitivities to connect to the transformative power in color. Valspar Plus® delivers lasting performance and uncompromising quality and is available in thousands of colors. It will exceed expectations for premium paint."

"We are very excited about this breakthrough in product development from Valspar," says Mike Tringale, vice president of External Affairs at AAFA. "We put this paint through rigorous testing protocols and are confident in its benefits for those suffering with respiratory sensitivities. As the first paint we have certified as asthma and allergy friendly, families can now reduce indoor irritants, like VOCs, without compromising on color choices or a premium quality finish."

Valspar Plus® paint offers best-in-class performance and benefits including long-lasting durability, stain resistance and thick, one-coat coverage backed by a lifetime warranty. The paint is available in three sheens (flat, satin, and semi-gloss) to meet wall, ceiling, and trim needs. Once dried, the paint is also washable, making for easy home cleaning.

The asthma & allergy friendly™ Certification Program is operated by the nonprofit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the research group Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), a physician-led organization that scientifically tests products against their independent certification standards to identify products that are more suitable for people with asthma and allergies. Valspar Plus® is the first indoor decorative coating or paint to be certified asthma & allergy friendly™ by AAFA. Valspar Plus® will be available in June 2011 from Lowe's stores nationwide. For more information, visit www.valsparpaint.com.

About The Valspar Corporation

The Valspar Corporation (NYSE: VAL) is a global leader in the paint and coatings industry. Since 1806, Valspar has been dedicated to bringing customers the latest innovations, the finest quality and the best customer service in the coatings industry.

About The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is the leading national nonprofit organization fighting asthma and allergic diseases. AAFA provides free information, conducts educational programs, fights for patients' rights, and funds research to find better treatments and cures. Log on to www.aafa.org/certified for more information.

SOURCE The Valspar Corporation