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LOW VOC Synthetics
Conventional paints can make the air you
breathe a chemical cocktail, even long after they have dried, as they continue
to release petroleum based solvents, called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as
they cure. It is estimated that each year in Australia more than 80,000 tonnes
of VOCs are released into the atmosphere, with the paint industry contributing
significantly to this amount. Typical oil-based paint such as enamels average 350g/L VOCs,
or between 35-50% of the paints volume and contain chemicals such as
Aliphatic & aromatic hydrocarbons(toluene, xylene),
ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone), alcohol (butanol, ethanol),
esters (n-propyl acetate, butyl acetate) free monomers, volatile
plasticisers, fungicides such as aromatic mercury compounds.
Even typical water-based acrylics still contain 3-7% solvent content and
may include chemicals such as glycol ethylene and propylene, glycol ethers,
alcohols, formaldehyde, amines (ammonium hydroxide,
amino-2-methyl propanol), monomers, volatile plasticisers, ammonia and fungicides. The VOC content of
paint and the CO2 emitted during manufacture are key contributors to
environmental impact - primarily in the form of air pollution (petrochemical
smog) and to a lesser degree 'greenhouse gases'. In addition VOCs may also
trigger respiratory reactions. Low-VOC paints should be specified for exterior
applications as well.
Here is Australia there is now a range of 'zero' and ultra-low VOC
paint products. They are manufactured using petro-chemicals,
and by cross-linking molecular action, form a film of 'plastic' over the surfaces they cover.
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Some major paint manufacturers in Australia
still use tints that contain high levels of VOCS. Therefore, the GreenPainters advises consumers and specifiers to check what the VOC level is of
tinted paint they intend to use. Tinted paint, even of paints labelled
'low-voc', often contain VOC levels over the
Green Star Rating System VOC Minimisation credits (IEQ-13/11), which has
been compiled from a combination of of information from Good Environmental Choice Australia's
Architectural Coatings Standard and Table A of Directive 2004/42/CE of the
European Parliament.
Advantages of Low-VOC paints:
- Ideal for commercial
applications, and offer excellent scrubbability.
- Quick Drying
- Low Odour
- Non-yellowing
- increased UV resistance,
flexibility
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Manufacturer |
 |
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 |
 |
 |
|
Low-VOC tints |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
yes |
|
Wallpaints |
Ultrasaten |
Ecostyle Low-sheen |
Zylone |
Enviroguard |
Wattyl ID |
|
Wallboard Primer |
Blankor |
Ecostyle
|
Wallboard Primer |
Enviroguard |
ID Primer |
|
Ceiling Paints |
Supercolour |
Ceiling White |
Ceiling White |
Enviroguard |
Ceiling White |
|
Acrylic Enamel |
Novalis Universal |
Ecostyle Gloss/Semi-gloss |
Enamacryl |
_______ |
Aquatrim |
|
Timber Clear |
Novalis Woodstain |
_______ |
Aquapel |
_______ |
_______ |
|
Exterior |
Novalis Universal |
Ecostyle |
Lumbersider |
_______ |
_______ |
|
Galv Primer |
Fundgrap |
|
Galvoprime |
|
|
|
Decorative |
Decorative Line, Occocento, Multidecor, Pallas. Raffaello |
Torino |
Pearl Shimmer, Metallic |
_______ |
_______ |
|
Paving Paint |
|
|
Non-skid Deck and Path |
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Additional Certification |
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Just because a paint is classed as 'Low-VOC' does not mean it is environmentally
preferable. It is important to consider the entire manufacturing process of a
product, and its' environmental impact. At present, the only way this can be
assured is by independant assessment by an eco-labeling body such as
Good Environmental Choice Australia. The
GECA program conducts a comprehensive life cycle based assessment of product
compliance to voluntary environmental declaration standards. It is a member of
the Global Ecolabelling Network.
Left is a summary of
manufacturers who are GECA Certified.
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