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Evaluation of low-VOC latex paints

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6095469
; ; ;
The paper gives results of an evaluation of four commercially available low-VOC (volatile organic compound) latex paints as substitutes for conventional latex paints by assessing both their emission characteristics and their performance as coatings. Bulk analysis indicated that the VOC contents of all four paints are considerably lower than those of conventional latex paints. Low-VOC emissions were confirmed by small chamber emission tests. However, sigificant emissions of several aldehydes, especially formaldehyde, were detected from two of the paints. ASTM methods were used to evaluate the hiding power, scrubbability, washability, dry to touch, and yellowing index. The results indicated that one of the low-VOC paints tested showed performance equivalent or superior to that of a widely used conventional latex paint used as a control. It was concluded that low-VOC latex paint can be a viable option to replace conventional latex paints for prevention of indoor air pollution. However, paints marketed as low-VOC may still have significant emissions of some individual VOCs, and some may not have performance characteristics matching those of conventional latex paints.
Research Organization:
ARCADIS Geraghty and Miller, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC (United States); Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research Lab., Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
EPA; Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI ID:
6095469
Report Number(s):
PB-99-171522/XAB; CNN: EPA-68-D4-0005
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320302 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Materials
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ALDEHYDES
COATINGS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELASTOMERS
EMISSION
EVALUATION
FORMALDEHYDE
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
LATEX
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
MATTER
MONITORING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PAINTS
POLLUTION
POLYMERS
RUBBERS
VOLATILE MATTER