What’s all the fuss with VOC’s : Update on Regulations - I

It is difficult to move around today and not hear references to sustainability. North America is truly becoming more green with numerous initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and at minimizing waste. Emissions from many sources, including coatings, are under scrutiny. Note that coatings contribute only 10% of total Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in North America. VOC’s include some typical solvents used in paints such as glycol ethers, propylene glycol, paint thinner, lacquer thinner, and denatured alcohol. As the theory goes – by reducing VOCs, smog generation would decrease, and eaqully importantly, reducing VOCs would lead to healthier indoor air. Relative to solvent based paints, waterbase coatings have significantly improved the total emissions in paints:

But as the schematic shows, even water base coatings contains some VOCs. The VOC’s in water based paints come primarily from added solvents. These solvents are used to extend the application window of water based paints. That is, they allow optimum application properties and durability under a wide range of temperature and humidity.

Since the initial EPA VOC limits in 1999, VOC’s in paints have been driven mainly by the SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District), the OTC (Ozone Transportation Commission), CARB (California Air Resource Board), and new comers like LADCO/MRPO.

To meet these new VOC targets, raw material ingredient suppliers continue to innovate to deliver novel technology that performs at lower VOC. Similarly, paint manufacturers are spending a considerable amount of time reformulating to meet these new specs.

The end result is that we see numerous new products designed to meet the increasingly stringent specs. Formulators capitalize on this growing sustainability trend with new targeted labeling. In many cases, these labels are associated with an environmental label. As an example, we see many manufacturers using the Green Seal logo.

Table 1: VOC specs (g/liter) by agency for FLAT paints

The table shows clearly that SCAMD has the most stringent requirements at 50 g/l. There are specific targets for every sheen level – only the requirements for flat paints are captured above. For additional details for specific types of paints (including non-architectural paints) please visit the agencies web sites:

The key take away here is that the VOC constraints have increased the rate of innovation and introduction of new products. PQI guidelines still hold – chose a quality paint and follow the manufacturers suggested guidelines on the best time to apply the paint.

Next month we will discuss how organizations such as LEEDs (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the Green Building Council (USGBC) are influencing trends in Coatings.

PQI News

PQI has a new look. After almost 2 decades we have updated our logo to a more contemporary look.

Industry News

The Product Stewardship Institute and Green Seal Inc. announced a new standard for recycled-content latex paints. Consistent with this month’s theme, the aim is to reduce paint waste. More details to come next month.

Contractor Education - Q&A

Fall is here – a great time for some special painting projects both inside and outside!

Q: Is it really necessary to follow the guidelines on minimum application temperature that appears on the label of exterior latex paint?

A: Yes! The binder in the latex paint consist of microscopic particles of plastic–like material, often made of acrylic or vinyl acrylic polymer. As the paint dries, these tiny particles must fuse together tightly in order to form a tough durable paint film. If the temperature is too low during application and drying, the particles will be too hard to form a good film, and the paint’s durability will suffer.

Q: I recently moved to the northeast and I am looking for some guidelines for my paint crew on the best times to do exterior painting during the fall?

A: Fall is an exciting time to pursue painting projects – both for interior and exterior. The Paint Quality Institute continues to recommend some interesting color trends and decorative ideas for interior projects. In exterior, special attention should be given to wet and colder climates (like the North East). Simple rule – “10 to 2”. That is, it is best to target exterior fall painting between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. This is the safest way to avoid overnight dew on the surfaces to be painted and to ensure that the paint is applied above the minimum recommended temperature (50 degrees Fahrenheit for most latex paints), with sufficient time to allow proper drying. Some latex paints are available today with extended temperature ranges, that is, they can be applied at lower temperatures. We advise that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when applying these paints. For exterior paint, to ensure good color retention, mildew resistance, durability and adhesion, we recommend a top quality acrylic latex paint.

Remember the Four Steps to a Quality Paint Job:
1. Good Surface Preparation is Key
2. Choose Quality Tools
3. Use a Quality Paint Correct for the Job
4. Paint Under the recommended Conditions