the harm of VOCs in our environment

-1- The harm of VOCs in our environment Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are found in everything from paints and finishes to underarm deodorant and freshly baked bread They are a major concern of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and air quality boards across the USA and Europe VOCs have been found to be a major contributing factor to the production of ozone, a common air pollutant that has been proven to be a public health hazard Ozone has been a difficult pollutant to control, because it is not emitted into the air, but actually formed in the atmosphere through a photochemical process It is in this process that VOCs play a significant role VOCs in the air react with oxides of nitrogen in the presence of sunlight to form ozone Ozone in the stratosphere is part of what is commonly referred to as the ‘ozone layer’ Ozone in the ozone layer is helpful because it helps to block the sun’s ultraviolet radiation Unfortunately, most VOCs produce ozone, which inhabits the troposphere Troposphere or ground level ozone is a harmful, photochemical oxidant that significantly contributes to the formation of smog Troposphere ozone is regularly measured as an indicator of smog levels in the atmosphere On days when ozone is high, usually in the summer months, health officials recommend that those with asthma, respiratory conditions, the young and old are cautious with outdoor activity due to the dangerous affects that excess amounts of ozone can have upon their health and well being However, the affects can also be felt by those who are ‘healthy’ A research study at Harvard University found that ozone levels of even 08 parts per million contributed to lung disease and pulmonary function deterioration in children According to EPA studies, ground level ozone affects the normal functions of the lung in many healthy humans There is evidence that prolonged exposure to ozone causes permanent damage to lung tissue and interferes with the functioning of the immune system Other problems resulting from excessive ozone levels can include damage to the ecosystem including the retardation of plant growth and crop yields Motor vehicles and industry are the two largest producers of volatile organic compounds There are various industrial producers of VOCs including sewage treatment facilities, electronic manufacturers, chemical manufacturers, woodworking industries, paint spraying, baking facilities, dry cleaners, petroleum refineries, printers and paint shops The EPA has determined that architectural coatings account for approximately percent of the VOC emissions from all consumer and commercial products Specifying and applying zero\flow-VOC paint products is a win-win situation for all involved parties The above information was extracted from ‘Building News, Volume B, Number 2, Feb 1999 -2- U l t r a last Are you poisoning your family? Yes, the new and improved household is not only detrimental to your bank balance Every homeowner strives to leave a specific individual character on their family home, a new layer of paint is often thereby required The uninformed consumer, however, is oblivious to the health and environmental impacts associated with conventional paints freely available in the UK marketplace That freshly new painted aroma is unfortunately filled with chemical toxins, which are also released from surfaces due to the ageing process of paint The health aspects of paint should be of utmost consideration to the family household Many organs are affected by the release of chemical toxins from painted surfaces; eye, nose and throat irritations, headaches, loss of coordination, cognitive disturbances (e.g memory and concentration loss), chronic choughs and sinus problems, muscle and limb pains, liver, kidney and brain damage, irritations, exhaustion, anxiety, depression, allergies and many cancers are currently known health effects caused by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Typical household paints continuously releases these chemical compounds in the form of gasses at room temperature The known environmental impacts of VOCs are not new, ozone layer depilation, global warming and fauna and flora degradation, to name a few, are all attributable to these chemical compounds The quality of paint is also negatively influenced by the continuous release of chemicals Colourfastness, waterproofing and fire resistance deteriorate in the short term (in lower quality paints) The informed consumer is, subsequently, compelled to insist on paints that have a minimal content of VOCs paints The availability of recognised tests is the only means to peace of mind when purchasing The European Union in May 2002, renewed the maximum content of VOCs in paint intended for household applications stipulated to be 30 grams per litre of paint It must be noted that this concentration only includes organic chemicals and not other volatile compounds, e.g water International paint manufacturers are in the process of distributing information related to VOC content as parts per million Logically the consumer prefers the lowest values The UK consumer’s search for human and environmentally friendly paint can be problematic However, new paint products are entering the market that fulfil requirements in terms of the specific criteria set by international markets, i.e less than 30 grams per litre of VOCs Apart from the VOC content that is stipulated to minimise health impacts, the European Union further protects the consumer, especially with respect to -3- quality assurance The characteristics of paints, and the appropriate tests of these characteristics, are thereby defined An accredited analytical laboratory, e.g the SABS in South Africa, must certify the standard tests Quality however, does not only refer to the durability of the paints anymore, but health and environmental aspects are specifically included The costs of “green” products are often higher compared to conventional products Nevertheless, products U ltr a l a s t that comply with abovementioned standards compete well with popular brand names the The consumer is therefore in the position to drive the local market to comply with the new international trends of less toxic paints By leading paint manufacturers (and contractors) to less toxic paints, a win-win scenario occurs, as both human and ecological health should receive the priority in these modern, enlightened times For more information the reader is referred to the following material and websites: Prescriptions for a Healthy house, Paula Baker-Laporte, et al New society Publishers, 2001 (A comprehensive list of safe building material options) Architectural Resource Huide Architects/Designers/Planers Responsibility, 1998 Edited by David Bibbey, (510) 273 – 2428 (List safe building material options) Home, Safe home: Protection Yourself and Your Family from Everyday Toxics and harmful Household Products, Debra Lynn Dadd, Jeremy P Tarcher, Inc, 1997 Clean and Green: A Complete Guide to Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping, Annie Berthold – Bond, Ceres Press 1994 The Alternative Building Sourcebook: Traditional, Natural and sustainable Building Products and Services, Fox Maple Press 1998, Edited by Steve Chappel for social -4- U l t r a last MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Products and Company Identification Company Identification: Ultr a last 5 K in g Street, M a s c o t , N S W , 2 Australia Products Identification: Ultra Bond, Ultra Metal Treat, Ultra Paint Preparation / priming (Ultra Bond) of metallic Use of products: (ferrous and non ferrous) surfaces, rust preventative treatment (Ultra metal treat) of ferrous surfaces, and colourfast painting (Ultra Paint) of prepared and treated surfaces – all products must be stirred / shaken well before use and not diluted with water or any other substance Composition/Information on Ingredients Chemical Characterisation: Mixture of water and natural pigments resins and other substances Chemical Ingredient Cas number Concentration/proportion Inert Iron Oxides (Colour pigments) Non hazardous 10% Baryte 7727-43-7 < 5% Acrylic polymer (resin) Non hazardous 50 - 60% Mica 12001-26-2 < 5% Aqua ammonia 1336-21-6 0.13% Residual Monomers Non hazardous < 0.05% Water Zero Algaecides - 10% -5- Hazards Identification Primary route of exposure: Inhalation: No effects observed during application in confined space Eye contact: Direct contact with material can cause slight irritation Skin contact: Prolonged and repeated contact causes no irritation No specific symbols are required for the use of the products – the products are not combustible or flammable and not have specific acute, chronic or toxic effects on humans, nor are they harmful to the natural environment when released First Aid Measures Eye contact: Flush eyes with large amount of water, if irritation persists, consult a doctor Skin contact: Wash the skin with soap and water Ingestion: Drink plenty of water Fire Fighting Measures When applied on surfaces: Non-combustible, could act to retard the spread of flame • SABS test: 653/82156/G3503 Spread of flame index • Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research test; G 158352/MW Spread of flame index: 0.0 British Standard 478 part – 1971 – class one (exceeding class limits) • SABS test: 321/85151/G152 Smoke toxicity index: Toxic gas factor – 1.0 • When cured (not applied): Can burn Extinguishing agents: Normal foam, powder, water spray, or carbon dioxide (CO) -6- Accidental Release Measures Personal precautions: Follow normal safety precautions and if spillage occurs in a confined space ensure there is adequate ventilation – there are no LD 50 data available for the products and the concentrations of particularly hazardous materials are so low that they are not considered a significant hazard under the recommended conditions of use Environmental No environmental hazard when applied on Precautions: surfaces or cured (solidified) No threat to fresh or seawater animal life Methods for Contain the spillage with sand or earth and take up cleaning up: spilled material (if possible) on non-flammable absorbent (sand, earth, diatomite, chemical binders) and put in an appropriate container, label the container with the waste designation, and dispose according to the legislation – not use solvent Handling and Storage Safe handling advice: Avoid direct contact with skin and eyes and inhalation and ingestion, take personal protective measures and follow the protection and safety regulations – when working with coating products in a spray cabin, sufficient control of aerosols is unlikely and breathing apparatus, e.g If preferred, respirators can be worn during spraying Measure to prevent fire: No specific preventative measures are required, but keep the application area well ventilated Requirements Store in original containers (if possible) and keep for storage: tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area (protect the products from direct extreme heat such as sources of ignition) - the products are not defined as dangerous goods Avoid direct sunlight and should not be stored in conditions below freeze-point Shelf life: ± years, if well sealed -7- Exposure Controls / Personal Protection Occupational exposure limit: OHSA PEL 15 mg/m (total dust), mg/m (respiration fraction) Personal protection: Respiratory protection: Respiratory programme must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant a respirator’s use Non- required if airborne concentrations are maintained below exposure limit listed in exposure limit information Eye Protection: Safety glasses with impenetrable side shields are recommended Skin protection: Gloves may be used if required, no known effects have been observed Physical and Chemical Properties Appearance: Liquids Colours: Milky (Ultra bond), oxide red, green or black (Ultra metal treat), range of colours (Ultra Paint) Odour: Characteristic of the specific product (faintly similar to a PVA paint product in some cases) PH: ~8 -9 Reactivity: Salt fog resistant UV Resistance/ 75 000 hours – No visible breakdown Weathering: Density: > gm/cm Vapour density: Heavier than air Solubility: Miscible in / with water prior to cure Evaporation rate: < water (see section 5) -8- 10 Stability and Reactivity Stability: Stable when following the handling and storage recommendations Conditions to avoid: Avoid temperatures above 177 deg C, direct sunlight and below freeze point for storage conditions Incompatibility: None known Hazardous By fire – carbon dioxide (CO) and carbon decomposition: monoxide 11 Toxicological Information Acute toxicity: No known effects – health hazard rating in group (minimal) of the Recommended Practice (ARP 006: 1991) guideline Skin contact: No known effects Eye contact: Chromic toxicity: Splashes Carcinogenicity: Mutagenicity: irritation Neurotoxicity: Reproductive hazards: No known effects No known can cause eye effects No known effects No known effects No known effects Additional information: The products themselves have not been tested, but their classifications calculated according to conventional methods (from the dangerous substances regulations) The products have been used in the painting of aquariums housing topical fish as well as ponds housing Koi fish with no effects at all The product has no noxious fumes or odour emission during and after application 12 Ecological Information Aquatic toxicity: No known effects Biodegradability: Products are considered highly biodegradable, but not tested No known effects Bio-accumulation: -9- Mobility: Not tested Additional information: The product is environmentally friendly with a very low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) as tested by the Huntingdon / SWL laboratories, Report number: 261394 – 23093 and described by America as a revolutionary breakthrough HUNTINGDON LABORATORY EVALUATION: CALCULATION AND VOC DETERMINATION Tests Resin Formula "B" Finished product paint ASTM D-1475 Density (lbs/gal) 8.71 11.08 ASTM D-2369 Volatile (wt%) 89.1 41.4 ASTM D-3792 Water (wt%) 68.2 35.9 Organics by difference 20.9 5.5 VOC (lbs/gal) 1.82 0.61 (0.0731033Kg./liter) 13 Disposal Considerations Disposal key: Disposal method: 080103 – EWC waste from water-based paints Completely empty packaging and hand over to an authorised disposal company / waste company – the waste regulations of the appropriate authorities are to be followed 14 Transport Information ADR / FID (Road): Not dangerous materials according to these regulations GGVSee / MDG (Maritime): Not dangerous materials according to these regulations IATA (AIR): Not dangerous materials according to these regulations 15 Regulatory Information EEC hazard classification: None of the substances of the products are classified by the EEC as hazardous TSCA certification: All of the substances in the products are listed, or exempt from listing, on the TSCA - 10 - National legislation: Pay attention to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 16 Other Information All data is based on the current knowledge of U l t r a l a s t and describes the product with reference to safety data, and is therefore not intended to guarantee certain properties - 67 - APPLICATION Two layers were applied to the samples after the primer coat Each layer was massed at two grams to establish consistency TESTING PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE SENSITIVITY TO ULTRA VIOLET RADIATION OF WEATHERING The Accelerated Weathering Chamber consists of a small, reflective oven and specialised UV light The UV Radiation is thus intensified and optimised, and the samples are bombarded from all sides Two samples were placed inside the chamber, while their counterparts were protected from direct sunlight In this way, comparing to the two sets of samples could easily identify the effects of UV Radiation, since they would be exactly the same age TEST RESULTS, INTERPRETATIONS, AND CONCLUSIONS The effects of the ULTRA VIOLET RADIATION CHAMBER on the samples were both dramatic and surprising It was initially expected that the coating, being without S.A.B.S approval would soon show weathering effects Instead, results were astounding All of the samples remained in the camber for 1059 hours After which one of the samples were removed for exhibition The remaining sample remained in the chamber for a further 140 hours, after which it were removed and left out for 48 hours The sample that was removed first was then replaced in the chamber to establish whether the effects that were observed after the samples were removed, could be reversed TOTAL EXPOSURE TO UV RADIATION 1199.4 HOURS The visual assessment was as follows: Table 1: result after 1059 hours in the UV Chamber No visual discolouration or embrittlement Table 2: results after 140 hours in darkness No visual discolouration or embrittlement Table 3: results after 1199, hours in the UV Chamber No visual discolouration or embrittlement Table 4: result after 1199, hours in the UV Chamber, 48 hours in subdued light No visual discolouration or embrittlement Table 5: result after replacement into UV Chamber for 48 hours No visual discolouration or embrittlement - 68 - INTERPRETATION The reason that the coating samples did not deteriorate may be attributed to the manufactures claim that no Volatile Organic Compounds are included in their formulation This coating is thus stable over a wide range of energy levels The colourfastness is also not due to pigments in the coating, but due to a reaction that takes place during mixing This reaction is not affected by ultra violet radiation CONCLUSION The results of these experiments show that the coating is resistant to UV radiation, and hence to weathering Unfortunately, time constraints as well as the expenses of operating the UV Chamber; not allow the experiment to be run until the coatings fail It may be argued that vapour permeability is not of much consequence in the protections of concrete, as it may work either for or against the concrete, depending on its condition A high degree of vapour permeability may protect the concrete by allowing moisture, which is necessary for corrosion to occur, to evaporate from the pore structure It may however, assist deterioration by lowering the moisture content in the pore spaces is 80%, or above, carbonation is likely to be slow, as the water forms a barrier to the carbon dioxide, which has low water solubility If the humidity is 40 – 60%, the carbonation rate is at a maxim, but if it is below 40%, the carbonation rate may still be expected to be higher than the condition where humidity is 80% or above From the above, it may be deduced that any coating that is permeable to vapour must form a barrier to carbon dioxide RESULTS It is of major importance to note that the result here proof, that although more coats are applied, it did not form a barrier to the vapour permeability but improve it This may thus be concluded that the first applied coats will also release any vapour that is trapped under the final coats This data was collected after 18 days of water transfer was permitted to occur For the same reasons as stated in table 1, Sample Density Curves have been used to interpret the results The following results have been deduced from the graph in table 2: - 69 - Table 6: Comparison of water loss through the coatings Product System Water loss (g/day) Vapour loss (g/day) Paint coats 0.167 0.241 Paint coats 0.167 0.234 The rate of carbonation was surprisingly high During the test run, it took approximately months to achieve a carbonation depth of 10 – 15 mm on unprotected surfaces The pressure in the chamber was dropped to approximately 133 kPa and not all of the air was purged from the chamber before the CO2 was pumped in, yet the carbonation depths reached 25 mm in only 24 days The sample failed by allowing a carbonation depth 25 mm or more It was suggested that these samples should be regarded as experimental statistics, and thus be excluded from the analysis, it is of the writer’s opinion that they should at least be acknowledged as an indication of the reliability of the product STEEL Vapour permeability of coatings applied to steel are of utmost importance for protection against corrosion This will prevent moisture building up caused by condensation that occurs when non permeable coatings are used on metal, especially in high humidity circumstances such as coastal and underground areas Bearing in mind that all constructional materials are subjected to corrosion, as the most abundant material on the earth is iron; the crusts of the earth consist of approximately % irons Applying non-permeable coatings to maintenance structures i.e plaster, concrete, brick, metal etc, will accelerate corrosion If any tin of acrylic paint is left open, a film will form on the surface This is due to the water in the upper layers of the paint evaporating, thus curing these layers, and causing them to bond and harden The liquid paint below the film will remain in its uncured state until it has a chance to allow its water to evaporate If the cured film is permeable to water vapour, the lower layers will eventually cure, but this will take a significant amount of time and improper curing is likely, resulting in water being trapped in the capillary pores of the surface layers This entrapped water is responsible for the added protection against carbonation of these “more generous” layers This is in part due to the low solubility of carbon dioxide in water, and in part due to the barrier that the blocked capillary pores would offer In the case of applied films, using non-permeable coatings, the upper layer will cure more rapidly than the lower layers, due to the increased rate of evaporation at the surface Once hardened, this layer will seal the surface, trapping water in the layer below it Some curing will take place below it Some curing will take place below the surface, due to the water vapour - 70 - permeability of the cured coating, but the time required for complete dehydration is expected to be significant Exactly how long this phenomenon will last depends on the exposure conditions of the coating and the thickness of the “generous” coat The UV radiation bombardment will increase the energy of any entrapped water and cause it to leave the molecular structure of the coating, thus reducing the protection it offers CONCLUSION The results showed that, while the coating had a high probability of a very high degree of protection it was not infallible The coating system was permeable to water vapour, while their permeability to water was slightly lower than those values indicating permeability to vapour This is significant as the coating allows water in the concrete pore spaces to permeate out without causing the disbondment of the coating Degrees of permeability were low enough to be considered negligible, thus water cannot seep into the concrete to facilitate the corrosion of the reinforcement Impermeability to carbon dioxide is probably the most important characteristic of a coating to be applied to new or repaired concrete where the efficiency of the cover concrete zone is questionable Unfortunately, improper mixing and compaction resulted in variable results, although it can definitely be stated that the coating system does reduce carbonation considerably Four coats did not offer much more protection against carbonation than two coats AESTHETIC APPEARANCES Aesthetic considerations should never be ignored in any civil engineering project Public perception is based primarily on visual pleasantries and over coating may become necessary simply due to this perception The most common basis on which coating systems are compared is cost, even though the cost of material is usually a minor portion of the total cost Ultralast products due to its long life, weathering resistance and other advantages above conventional paints should however offer the best value for money Of the products tested, this product is recommended for use due to its weathering resistance, i.e this coating is the more economical option of the coatings tested If the efficiency in protection is of primary concern, the environmental conditions should be taken into consideration when choosing a coating, and if aesthetic appearance is also important a Zero V.O.C E.M.T product should be considered The ease of application and cleaning due to its water solubility are plus factors combining the fact that this is a fully acrylic system - 71 - The safety of the employees handling the material is of great importance If this factor is considered fundamental, Zero V.O.C E.M.T is the most suitable system, since neither the primer nor the acrylic paint contains volatile organic compounds or H.A.P., which are the main instigators of headaches and respiratory problems The product is also non-toxic and should not cause skin or respiratory irritation It is also not flammable, thus sparking during spray application is not a problem It also has the added advantage of the shortest over coating time of all the products that where tested, thus the use of labour and scaffolding may be optimised, reducing the most significant portion of the cost of any coating project Any attempt to protect an existing structure from carbonation using any barrier system involves a risk of success against futility If carbonation has progressed to an appreciable depth, there are two factors to be considered Firstly, the carbonation rate will slow considerably and time progress, thus the coating may be redundant for the service life of the structure Secondly, if there is already enough carbon dioxide, either in solution or as a gas in the pore structure to allow carbonation to progress for an appreciable time after the coating has been applied, even to the extent that the carbonation front reaches the steel The application in this case is futile In such a case, the water resistance of the coating must be relied upon to inhibit the access of moisture and dissolved oxygen in order to stifle the reduction at the cathode of the corrosive electro-chemical cell The application of a water-resistant / vapour permeable coating is thus essential in the protection of concrete steel and maintenance structures - 72 - - 73 - - 74 - - 75 - - 76 - - 77 - - 78 - - 79 - - 80 - - 81 - [...]... formulated in a variety of colours and natural, provide superb sealing and fire retardant qualities USES Ultra Fire Guard is used to delay the thatch rotting process, which lengthens the roof life It also keeps the thatch sturdy and prevents birds from pulling out thatch If sprayed on the inside it prevents dust rains in the house Fire Guard makes the thatch waterproof and will reduce the weight of the roof... herein since method of application, condition of use and cleanliness of the substrate prior to painting are beyond our control Not - 13 - Drying time: (@ 20 C FOR 25 MICROMETER COATING AND RH < 75%) TOUCH DRY - 15 -30 MINUTES OVER COAT - 30 - 90 MINUTES NORMAL SERVICE - 16 HOURS Theoretical spreading rate: 10m² / Liter at 25 micrometers DFT The theoretical spreading rate stated here is for a DFT of. .. dealer for specific information Disclaimer: The recommendations contained herein are meant to guide the specified or the uses They are based on results gained from our experience and tests and are believed to be reliable No guarantee is implied by the recommendations contained herein since method of application, condition of use and cleanliness of the substrate prior to painting are beyond our control -... moderate temperatures Disclaimer: The recommendations contained herein are meant to guide the specified or the uses They are based on results gained from our experience and tests and are believed to be reliable No guarantee is implied by the recommendations contained herein since method of application, condition of use and cleanliness of the substrate prior to painting are beyond our control - 28 - ultra... moderate temperatures Disclaimer: The recommendations contained herein are meant to guide the specified or the uses They are based on results gained from our experience and tests and are believed to be reliable No guarantee is implied by the recommendations contained herein since method of application, condition of use and cleanliness of the substrate prior to painting are beyond our control - 30 - ultra... uses They are based on results gained from our experience and tests and are believed to be reliable No guarantee is implied by the recommendations contained herein since method of application, condition of use and cleanliness of the substrate prior to painting are beyond our control - 14 - Ultra last MANUFACTURED COATINGS INTRODUCTION THE ZERO VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (V.O.C.) ENVIRONMENTAL MAINTENANCE... containers well sealed Store at moderate temperatures Disclaimer: The recommendations contained herein are meant to guide the specified or the uses They are based on results gained from our experience and tests and are believed to be reliable No guarantee is implied by the recommendations contained herein since method of application, condition of use and cleanliness of the substrate prior to painting... defeats the purpose of the Ecoating system u l t r a l a s t dries physically within a few minutes but needs approximately 12 hours to be cured Disclaimer: The recommendations contained herein are meant to guide the specified or the uses They are based on results gained from our experience and tests and are believed to be reliable No guarantee is implied by the recommendations contained herein since method... temperatures Disclaimer: The recommendations contained herein are meant to guide the specified or the uses They are based on results gained from our experience and tests and are believed to be reliable No guarantee is implied by the recommendations contained herein since method of application, condition of use and cleanliness of the substrate prior to painting are beyond our control - 32 - u l t r a Fire G u... LOSS, DAMAGE OF INJURY TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS CONTENT 3% Sulphuric Acid Disclaimer: The recommendations contained herein are meant to guide the specified or the uses They are based on results gained from our experience and tests and are believed to be reliable No guarantee is implied by the recommendations contained herein since method of application, condition of use and cleanliness of the substrate