By Dr. Ken Hine
Back in the '60s, Bob Dylan wrote a song called "The times they are a-changing." This is true about today's auto refinish paint systems for two reasons: the EPA's National Rule on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and a growing emphasis on health, safety and environmental issues at all levels in the auto refinish industry.
The following article will explain some of the changes that are occurring and the steps you should follow to ensure your health and safety.
Why A National Rule?
Concern over the deteriorating quality of the nation's air led to a number of amendments to the Clean Air Act in 1990. These changes have resulted in several EPA initiatives, including the development of a National Rule for the auto refinish industry. The National Rule, when it is implemented late summer of 1997, will result in lower emissions of VOCs into the atmosphere. Regulators and paint chemists may split hairs over exactly what is and what isn't legally a VOC, but for practical purposes VOC means "solvent." Solvents are found in all refinish paint systems, particularly in thinners, reducers and cleaners. The VOC content of a coating is high when the solvent content is high, and the solids content is low. So lacquers have a high VOC content and two-pack systems have a lower VOC content.
To achieve lower VOC emissions, the National Rule will require refinish coating suppliers to formulate paint systems with less VOC content. The theory here being that the less VOC in the paint, the less goes into the atmosphere to cause air pollution. Therefore, a series of "low VOC" or "VOC compliant" paint systems have been developed to meet the limits specified in the rule and eventually replace high VOC or conventional systems. It is also important to understand that low VOC coatings are not really "brand new" because at least 20 states or districts in the country have VOC rules already in place.
The key thing to realize is that at the end of 1997, the only paint systems that will be available for shops will be low VOC, with only very minor exceptions permitted.
Low VOC Refinish Paint Systems
There are basically two ways paint suppliers are able to formulate refinish coatings with lower VOC content: high solids, or "HS" systems; and waterborne systems.
- High solids technology achieves lower VOC content by replacing some of the solvent content with lower viscosity resins and by using low VOC thinners plus high solids hardeners. Each coating supplier will have its own spin on this. Typically, low VOC thinners, used to reduce the paint to spray viscosity, will contain a different blend of thinners than those used in conventional paint systems. The chemistry of the hardeners will be based on high solids technology. Topcoats and primer systems will contain higher solids resins at lower viscosity to make them sprayable.
- Waterborne technology simply replaces some of the solvent content with water. When the coatings are applied, the water evaporates but does not cause air pollution. Waterborne technology will contain small amounts of VOCs, called co-solvents, to promote solubility of water-based resins.
The chemicals used in refinish coating systems vary from supplier to supplier. Most of these ingredients are listed by the suppliers on the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), and in some cases, on the labels.
It's Your Health And Safety
When the National Rule is in force, you will have a choice of coating technologies to use in your shop: high solids or waterborne.
Even though the low VOC chemistries are different, it is important to realize that the health and safety requirements for using the new coatings are very similar to those for using the conventional high VOC coatings. In some ways, the waterborne coatings, being non-flammable, can actually reduce risk.
Here are some basic rules for using both low VOC and conventional coatings:
- Make sure your shop has a complete set of up-to-date MSDSs for all chemicals and coating products used in your shop.
- Read coating suppliers' labels and MSDSs before handling products. Contact your jobber or coating supplier if there is anything you don't understand.
- Always wear the personal protective equipment (PPE) specified on the label or in the MSDSs. Your skin, eyes and hair should not be exposed to solvent or paint mist, so wear protective gloves, coveralls with a hood, proper respiratory protection and appropriate eye and foot protection. Contact with skin and eyes can cause skin irritation or eye damage. Some coating suppliers will actually provide the names of companies that can supply your shop with the proper PPE.
- Use air-supplied respiratory protection that is NIOSH-approved while spraying refinish coatings. This point cannot be stressed too much. Hardeners contain isocyanates and solvents. Inhalation of dusts and spray mists could lead to sensitization of the respiratory system.
- Even though high solids coatings contain less solvent, they still represent a fire hazard and should be treated the same way as conventional coatings. Sources of ignition should be strictly avoided, including sources of static electricity.
- Maintain high standards of personal hygiene with any coating system you use. Splashes of paint that may get on your skin should be removed promptly using plenty of soap and water to avoid skin irritations or rashes. Never use thinners to clean your skin.
- Store waste paint according to the local fire code and environmental regulations, and use a licensed waste hauler to dispose of solvent and waterborne paint wastes.
- Do not mix solvent-borne and waterborne wastes. Keep them in separate containers.
- Never pour waterborne wastes down the sink. As stated earlier, waterbornes contain small quantities of co-solvent that may be hazardous to the environment.
- Even though "the times they are a-changing," you can continue to work safely and profitably by following these basic rules. Good safety and health practices mean good business - for you, your customers and your family.
| Dr. Ken Hine is the director of technical, safety, health and the environment for ICI Autocolor in North America. He is a member of the National Paint and Coatings Association's Auto Refinish Coalition and has worked with the others on that committee to forge sensible VOC regulations throughout the United States. He is also chairman of the Canadian Paint and Coatings Associations's Auto Refinish Working Group.
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