[Greenbuilding] Sealing in VOC's

[Andrew Pace, CSI]

About two years ago I co-authored a series of articles that dealt with the
topic of paint chemistry and the VOC issues.  The article has been posted on
several sites, but I know for sure its available here:
http://www.afmsafecoat.com/news_page.php?id_news=14

VOC¹s are regulated for use in paints and coatings not because of their
direct health effects on humans, but for their contribution to low-level
smog.  VOC¹s can react with UV and nitrogen to create ozone, a major
component of smog.  However, even zero VOC paints often contain butyl
acetate, ammonia, formaldehyde precursors, masking agents and many more
chemicals which are not regulated as VOC¹s and don¹t necessarily have to be
listed on a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Both VOC's and hazardous air pollutants can outgas from a painted surface
for years after the complete cure.  As far as I know, the Safecoat brand of
paint is the only product on the market that specifically addresses this
concern.  Yes, I do use and sell their products.  Although we have been
approached by numerous brands claiming their similarities to Safecoat, we
have never seen the same level of environmental and human health commitment
that AFM has.  Not to mention, they've been doing it for 30 years.

  

Andrew J. Pace, CSI
Principal

Safe Building Solutions
Waukesha, WI 53189




On 8/13/07 2:40 PM, "John Messerschmidt" <john at ducecc.com> wrote:

> Steve,
> Interesting question.  We have to use oil based primer over plaster if we
> want a quality job, and then we put no-VOC paint over it to be
> environmentally sensitive.  I am fully aware of what we are doing.  My hope
> is that the paint seals in the VOC's.  I've been told by the paint
> manufacturers that the VOC's are most active when the paint is wet and that
> they dissipate very soon after the paint dries and the client likely won't
> experience any adverse reactions if they move in a month after the paint is
> on.  I've never seen any statistics to back this up, however.
>