Green Scene
VOC Compliance
An industry insider offers tips on how to navigate the course of green building standards and VOC compliance.
Amid the growing customer demand for green design solutions, it is important that trade professionals understand the st andards and future regulation changes for achieving green building certifications. When it comes to meeting those standards with paints and coatings, guidelines on indoor air quality are important to follow. The good news is that paints low in odor and VOCs can help meet these indoor air requirements. To be classified or marketed as low-
VOC paint, government organizations, including the EPA, require that the VOCs are limited to 50 grams per liter for field applications. Green paints that meet these environmental standards have 20%–30% percent of the VOCs of traditional paints. However, low-VOC should not be the
only criteria for green. Quality green coatings should also offer a number of performance benefits. These include minimal odor that allows for application in occupied spaces; better hiding and longer lasting performance to minimize the frequency of repaints; antimicrobial properties that resist mold and mildew on the paint film to maintain a fresh appearance; superior stain and burnish mark resistance that make the coatings a perfect fit for high-traffic areas; and a scrubbable surface that eliminates the need for harsh cleaning chemicals. While these performance benefits
make specification of quality green paints seem like an easy choice, it can still be a challenging decision for trade professionals. This is largely due to the
18 GreenBuilder July > August 2010
Where housing and the environment connect
fact that it can be difficult to stay up to date on the VOC content regulations and standards that qualify a coating as “green.” For example, there are currently six sets of
VOC regulations being followed throughout the United States. These regulations require an understanding of all regional standards to ensure compliant products are specified for every project, no matter the location. VOC regulations are not hard and fast, but instead are changing every year. For instance, in 2009 alone, Illinois, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island joined the majority of states in the Northeast following the Ozone Transport Commission Model Rule guidelines for VOC emissions. Indiana is also expected to join this group sometime in early 2011. In addition, the EPA has proposed a new
national standard to VOC emissions that if passed, could take effect in early 2011, and in California, where the California Air Resources Board Standard is followed, changes to VOC emissions policies are also expected to take effect in 2011. While the specific details of these pending regulation changes are unknown, and specifying green coatings remains a bit challenging as a result, it is important to stay informed of the changes as
they are implemented. In addition, as these rules change and become more stringent, certain types of paints that trade professionals have grown accustomed to will disappear from store shelves, and new paint specifications will have to be adopted. For example, high-VOC, oil- based paints will soon be replaced by water- based or higher volume solid alkyd paints. As the green building movement
gains momentum, consumers are getting smarter about the sustainable aspects of their purchases. They want to do business with companies who exhibit a strong commitment to the environment while making the products they will purchase. Builders who are in step with the green regulations, knowledgeable of green coating trends, and who provide environmentally friendly product offerings will be a valuable resource to their customers. Talk with a reputable manufacturer’s representative about green paint and coating options. They can provide product information and technical performance data that will help in selecting products that deliver maximum quality, appearance, performance and value to customers.—Steve Revnew, vice president, product development, Sherwin-Williams
www.greenbuildermag.com
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