VOCs are emitted from numerous products that we use in day to day life. It includes harmless-looking marker pens and correctional fluids. Even the office copier and Xerox machines are in the list of VOC-emitting products. However, architectural paints are the single largest contributor to this hazard. Thus the guidelines formulated to control VOC emission have a large impact on the architectural paint products and its production technology. Some of the major impacts are as follows.
Solvent reduction or change
Architectural paints along with any type of other paint are primarily a mixture of solid elements and solvents. The VOCs are emitted from the solvent part. When applied over a surface, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind the solid part imparting the color and finish. Therefore, to control the level of VOC emission, it is necessary to control solvent usage. After the new guidelines were enforced, paint companies have either decreased the usage of solvent or changed it with another type of chemical to meet the changing guidelines.
Use of better technology
The change of solvent or reduction of its quantity makes up the primary steps that were taken by the paint companies. However, for long term effect, better technologies were developed and are in use. Polycarbonate is now being used to provide clear wood finishes for interior painting. Alkyd urethane varnishes that had high level of VOC have been replaced by water based Alkyds. The texture and the finish achieved by the water based alkyds are also better than what was achieved using urethane varnishes.
Better results
The formulation of VOC usage guidelines and its enforcement not only forced the paint companies to change their production methods but even proved beneficial to the customers and environment. Architectural paints from top companies like Benjamin Moore paints have lowest VOC emission and still are the best in their class. Earlier, paint quality was determined by the quantity of solvent used; however, with better technology and reduced solvent level, one gets better finish with the use of architectural paints from top brands like Benjamin Moore paints. Thus it proves to be beneficial for the end users. Moreover, reduced smell makes it easy for the applicators to work with these paints. And the low level of VOC emission also proves to be beneficial for the environmental conditions. Thus the impact of VOC guidelines on architectural paint products proves to be beneficial both for people and for the environment.
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