VOC RegsThis is the second in a series of Tech Notes about volatile emissions and what printers can do to comply with regulations while maintaining high quality operations.VOC RegulationThe US Environmental Protection Agency writes the federal regulations that limit VOC emissions. Many state and local governments have also created regulations, which may be even more restrictive than the EPA's. What You Need To KnowPrinters must track and control yearly VOC emissions so they do not exceed the legal limit. The limit varies, depending on printing process and geographic location. Generally, the more polluted an area is, the lower the limit on VOCs. To learn more about city, county, district, regional or state regulations, ask your vendor, trade association or local government. Figuring VOC EmissionsAnnual VOC emissions are calculated based on how much solvent is contained in the products you use, multiplied by product usage. How Much Solvent Products ContainThe manufacturer can tell you, in one of two ways:
For aqueous coatings, the percentage figure is more accurate. Printer ResponsibilityThe EPA holds printers responsible for reporting emissions accurately. You must ensure that the figures on your MSDS or product data sheet (PDS) are accurate, and your usage calculations are accurate. Remember, the point of the regulation is to measure the actual volatile emissions. And actual emissions can only be calculated based on actual VOC use. Because laws about reporting emissions vary across the country, Nicoat lists all solvent percents, regardless of how small, on the MSDS sheets. Nicoat Number AccuracyNicoat uses two methods to determine the amount of solvent in a product: EPA's Method 24A and chromatography, the sophisticated and accurate method of measuring volatiles in solution. However, you should know that although the chromatography method is more reliable and accurate than EPA's Method 24A, and it is routinely used by chemical manufacturers, it has not yet been approved by the EPA. This means the EPA may consider you noncompliant if you rely on VOC numbers determined by chromatography rather than Method 24A. Nicoat can provide you with VOC numbers determined by Method 24A or chromatography. Correct Number Verification
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