What is VOC?

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The abbreviation VOC stands for "Volatile Organic Compoud", meaning, organic compounds which, under normal room temperature conditions evaporate. Such products are mostly solvents, which are used in paints, thinners and some petroleum products. VOCs are potentially poluents and are a threat to soil, underground water and air. For human beings, VOCs show a great effect in closed environments. In a closed environment where paints are being used, the VOC count is 1000 times higher than in an open environment.

 

What is, low- or reduced VOC ?

Paint systems with low (reduced) VOC have a much lower VOC value, than traditional (old) painting systems. It is therefore extremely important to use paints with negligably low VOC paints on water basis

with regards to human health and environment protection.

 

As VOCs are harmful to human health, and as they are used in many traditional paints and varnishes, their utilization in closed rooms are strictly regulated.

 

The enviromental effects of VOCs

Direct effects and after the transformation of secondary photosynthesis polution

 

- Ground level ozone formation

- Damages in material and buildings

- VOC impact on humans is chronical rather than acute, including

- Cancer

- Respiratory system diseases (COPD)

- Headaches

- Fatigue

- Skin and eye irritation

 

As a result, a growing number of precautions are taken in consideration in order to reduce the intensity of VOC in consumer products.

 

As Turkey is aspiring to become a member of EU, Turkey is synchronising legislature for VOCs with same regulations as in the EU.

 

EU environmental legislation within the scope of directives 2004/42/EC and 1999/13/EC on the harmonisation and implementation of the sectors covered by the VOC directive, in order to inform the Ministry of Evironment and City, various seminars and meetings were held in 2007 and 2008.

 

1999/13/EC od the "Specific activities and enterprises, the control of emissions of VOCs, due to the usage of organic solvent" and 2004/42/EC, certain paints, varnishes and car paint products from organic solvents used in control of emissions of VOCs in 2013 on the directives harmonisations and implementations in 2015.

As a result, Directive 2004/42/EC to be evaluated in the studies conducted on this issue in the country with the standards of paint consumed / produced by conducting studies on the harmonization of standards in paint will become inevitable.
The main issues such prioritized;
 

1 - Emissions of practices and techniques to minimize the follow-up on the developments.

2 - reducing the rate of the process and chemical solvent or organic solvent-free powder coatings when possible transition.

3 - Use of volatile organic compounds harmful effects for human health and the environment, in accordance with the provisions of the legislation to minimize the studies.

4 - can be considered as the necessary permits required by environmental legislation.