Recommendations to reduce VOCs.
Recommendations for the reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds, VOC's, send to the atmosphere and in the workplace.
In most situations, solvent-based paints used in painting the furniture continue to provide a superior alternative to water-based products. However, they contain volatile organic compounds, VOC's, in different amounts and is our duty to try to reduce VOC emissions as far as possible.
The best way is undoubtedly the use of paints and water based dyes, but if this is not possible, then we suggest some recommendations as a manufacturer of coatings.
A VOC is a Volatile Organic Compound produced by photochemical reactions when released to the atmosphere. In reaction with oxidized nitrogen and under the influence of sunlight, ozone, which in large quantities, poses a health hazard and pollutes the environment.
As manufactures of wood varnishes we recommend:
1. Use less harmful solvents, review the MSDS of the products and trying to spend environmental friendly solvent. Consult the TLV.
2. Using higher-solids coatings. Normally be higher viscosity products, there are special guns to apply the high viscosity material. Apply small quantity, as well as covering other less solid varnish. This reduces emissions of VOCs into the atmosphere.
You may have the disadvantage of applying a high temperature, creating bubbles that can be eliminated by applying the material with appropriate guns and training.
3. Use application equipment varnishes and paints with high transfer efficiency.
When talking about guns, working with mixed electrostatic gun, pistol mixed HLVP (large / low pressure) and airless (without air, just use pressure).
It is also interesting to use a mixer, no waste when we finish varnish, used fewer deposits and less cleaning solvent used.
4. Use water base or hydroalcoholic base dyes. This is easier to change than a topcoat, and substantially reduces emissions of VOCs. There are special water-based inks, which do raise the grain of the Wood.
5. Enforcement Ordinance. Apply lighter shades stains at first and then the darker stains, thus avoid cleaning the equipment when changing color tinting.
6. Application of mixed processes. To minimize any problems with high glosses top coat or hardeness surface, you can use a waterbase sealer and solvent base topcoat. This will reduce the VOC at the half and does not change the appearance or the quality of our finishes. The customer will not notice the difference. Valresa recommend using mixed processes like this.
7. Use slower evaporation solvent, to evaporate in the dryer and not in the application area. With that eliminate solvents and spent less in the area of application. Slow solvents are more expensive in absolute terms, but spent much less and also emit less VOC's, you can save money.
8.We recommend ready to use woodcoatings, and to avoid solvent recess, because involves an unnecessary VOC emissions. Valresa all varnishes made with the premise significantly reduce the emission of VOCs, we recommend the direct application of the products without dilution and the recess if necessary for reasons of high or low temperature, we use pure solvents so:
• Reduce the amount of solvent used.
· It improves the properties of the mixture, without lowering quality.
· Minimize spraying and maintain the effectiveness of the implementation.
9. If possible, apply the varnish with a roller. In this way, we work with higher solids and reduces solvent emissions into the atmosphere and the working area.
10. Try to recycling the cleaning solvent, recovering in a closed container and allowed to settle or even using solvent recovery machines.
11. Update and review the safety and technical sheets for varnishes and dyes, indicating the content of VOCs
12. Keep containers of paints, varnishes and solvents covered if they are not going to use to avoid unnecessary evaporation