What is a VOC?

VOC is the abbreviation for Volatile Organic Compound. These volatile organic compounds are the solvents which are added to the solids in the paint during manufacture to lower the viscosity so that it can be sprayed.

Some volatile organic compounds which evaporate from the paint film have been determined to be environmentally hazardous. Very few have been exempted from regulation.

The latest word
The current compliance date is set at January 1, 1998, although it is probable that the date will be pushed back one more time, to mid-1998. The EPA has just wrapped up review of public comments and is now involved in an Office of Management and Budget review that could take 90 days. That review should be finished in November or December, with the final compliance date fixed at that time.

The mandate will be directed at traffic paint manufacturers, but the result will be that you will only be able to buy VOC-compliant traffic paints. Your best bet is to plan on painting with one of the following VOC-compliant paints in 1998.

Latex paint
Call it waterbase, waterborne or latex paint, this represents the simplest compliance solution for most traffic paint users. Latex paints are comfortably under the 150 grams/liter VOC limit, with many as low as 100 grams/liter, and they are safe to use. Today’s new-technology latex paints dry quicker and perform as well as traditional solvent-based paints, and the colors appear to be as bright, if not brighter.

The primary limitation of latex paint is the temperature window for application. Latex needs to be put on clean, dry pavement with a surface temperature of at least 45 degrees. This limitation can be a problem in the northern United States, where striping seasons with latex paints may be shortened somewhat.

Solvent-based paint

In the solvent-based family, one type of product is considered VOC compliant. Acetone has been ruled VOC exempt and therefore is acceptable in the manufacture of traffic paint. However, acetone paint can be difficult to spray because it evaporates very quickly, much more quickly than even MEK. It is also dangerous, with a flash point well below 10 degrees Fahrenheit (for comparison, MEK’s flash point is near 30 degrees and Toluene’s flash point is around 40 degrees).

Acetone paints do offer an alternative for striping crews who live in colder climates, extending the striping season in the spring and fall when needed. Do use caution when handling.