Water-borne vs. Solvent-borne Paints

The question has been posed on a number of occasions as to the environmental advantages of water-borne vs. solvent-borne paints? A reader recently asked where they could find reports, studies, statistics, etc.

Water-borne doesn't imply less toxicity. The magic is in achieving the correct total numbers, regardless of which path you take to get there. Environmentally-friendly characteristics typically address both VOCs and toxics.

For example: A shop owner in the Northeast U.S. was doing mil-spec paint work for a major aircraft manufacturer that required the use of a water-borne chromated primer, specified for use in California, as opposed to the solvent-borne chromated primer he currently used from the same manufacturer. While they reduced the VOC content, the manufacturer raised the strontium chromate levels from 1.8 to 10.8. It is of note that SC's Threshold Limit Value (TLV) (aka screening level) is .0005 while Hexomethylene Diisocyanate (HMDI) is .5. Both of these chemicals are on the EPA's original list of 189 air toxics under Title III.

Solvent-borne paints maintain consistent VOC and toxics levels, do not require unusual curing and flash-off technologies, and are generally not influenced by the climate (i.e. humidity, etc).

As to studies that have been performed, the National Technical Information Service in Springfield, VA is the caretaker of a great deal of information. This facility houses the findings of all studies funded by U.S. tax dollars. They also have the findings of the first study done for VOCs on automotive refinishing. Their website address is www.ntis.gov. This is an excellent source of information but there is no guarantee that all EPA findings would be housed here. Other information is available through EPA regional offices.

Copyright © Tara L. Munro. All Rights Reserved.