VOCs from paint dissipate fairly quickly with most offgassing occuring during the first 6 months after application. Other sources, such as particle board may continue to offgas for 20 years or more.
VOCs include a variety of chemicals that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and skin problems. Higher concentrations may cause irritation of the lungs, as well as damage to the liver, kidney, or central nervous system.
High VOCs are more the norm than exceptionThe current South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) limit for VOC emissions from clear finishes is 275 grams per liter (g/l), 250 g/l for stains, and 730 g/l for shellac--all relatively high levels when you consider that zero-VOC paints are now common.
To find the VOC emissions from an overall coating, first find the Overall VOC Content* of the coating. The Overall VOC Content is the Overall Weight of VOC in the Coating divided by the Total Parts in the Coating. Overall Weight of VOC – For each component, multiply its VOC of Material by the Mix Ratio.
VOC is most often stated as a percentage, so the percentage of the full mixture that is not VOC exempt. For example, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is not exempt by EPA (and most if not all other) standards, so 99% pure IPA has a VOC of 99%. 70% pure IPA, with 30% purified water, is 70% VOC, because water is exempt.
But, there's a patchwork of different standards across the U.S. For example, California's standards are the most stringent: 150 g/l for nonflat finishes and 100 g/l for flat. Low-VOC is usually 50 g/l or less and no-VOC is usually 5 g/l or less.
Sources of VOCs
- paints, paint strippers and other solvents.
- wood preservatives.
- aerosol sprays.
- cleansers and disinfectants.
- moth repellents and air fresheners.
- stored fuels and automotive products.
- hobby supplies.
- dry-cleaned clothing.
It is worth noting that decorating products containing higher levels of VOC often have a stronger odour – something to consider when choosing the right paint for the job in hand. Brewers stock a large range of paints specially formulated to have low or zero VOCs reducing the impact on the environment.
VOCs Can Harm HealthBreathing VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, can cause difficulty breathing and nausea, and can damage the central nervous system as well as other organs. Some VOCs can cause cancer.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are organic chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature. High vapor pressure correlates with a low boiling point, which relates to the number of the sample's molecules in the surrounding air, a trait known as volatility.
How VOC regulations differ across states
- California (CARB)
- Illinois (LADCO)
- Indiana (LADCO)
- Ohio (LADCO)
- Michigan (LADCO)
- Minnesota (LADCO)
- Wisconsin (LADCO)
- Pennsylvania (OTC)
EPA does regulate VOCs in some household products under the Clean Air Act (CAA); however, the regulations that we have promulgated for VOCs in architectural coatings and consumer products are in place only because many VOCs photochemically react in the atmosphere to produce ozone, a component of smog.
For gasoline, 17 target VOCs were detected at 5 °C, and 20 VOCs at 40 °C, and five VOCs accounted for nearly all (95–96%) of TTVOC at each temperature: toluene (25– 28%), benzene (19–20%), n-heptane (18–20%), cyclohexane (17– 18%), and methyl cyclohexane (11–12%).
" Volatile organic compounds (VOC) means any compound of carbon, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate, which participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions.
The Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) is a comprehensive Federal law that regulates all sources of air emissions. The 1970 CAA authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and the environment.
VOCs react with nitrogen oxides on hot summer days to form ozone (smog). Car exhaust, gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, gasoline dispensing stations, industrial coating operations, printing shops, paints, household chemicals - are some of the sources of VOC.
Best Low VOC Flooring Choices
- Solid Hardwood.
- Bamboo.
- Cork.
- Laminate Flooring.
- Engineered Wood Flooring.
- Linoleum.
- Vinyl.
- Carpet.
Even low or no VOC paints can have high emissions and odors. Low and no VOC paints still have VOCs, just not as many. Odors can also come from other chemicals in the paint are not considered VOCs.
- Behr Premium Plus Enamel Low Luster. Behr, the Home Depot house brand, comes in more than 4,000 different colors, with zero-VOC versions of semi-gloss, flat interior, eggshell, and base finishes.
- Benajmin Moore Natura/Aura.
- Milk Paint.
- YOLO Colorhouse.
- Sherwin-Williams Harmony.
The first complete, top-quality, zero-VOC professional line available in four sheens and every color. When specifying paint for clients' projects, architects, designers and color consultants can't go wrong with Sherwin-Williams new ProMar® 200 Zero VOC Interior Latex.
One of the chores on the top of the to-do list for a mommy-to-be is painting the nursery, so it's important to know that low-VOC paint is definitely safer for pregnant women as well as children or anyone with a compromised immune system. “VOCs are linked to respiratory illnesses and memory impairment,” says Beres.
Dulux has been at the forefront of low VOC paint innovation. Low VOC paints are lower in Volatile Organic Compounds thereby creating less emissions and less odour. Dulux has introduced low VOC products such as Dulux envirO2TM, Wash&Wear® and the Decorama tinter system used to deliver Dulux Colour.
Low VOCs: Adding color pigment to Zero VOC paint can increase the amount of volatile organic compounds as much as 10 grams per liter. Zero VOC paint can also contain other potentially harmful compounds; however, even at levels of 10 grams per liter, it is considered a far safer alternative to non-Zero VOC paints.”
BrÄkleen® Pro-Series Brake Parts Cleaner Non-Chlorinated Low VOC uses the PowerJet® spray nozzle that sprays with force, blasting away contaminants from your brake system. This powerful spray is designed to dislodge oils, grease, dirt, and other contaminants with little effort.
