WHAT IS THE CONTRIBUTION OF ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS TO THE OZONE PROBLEM?
One of the key ingredients contributing to ozone formation are solvents, which contain volatiles referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These solvents are commonly found in many architectural and industrial paints. AQMD has studied the cumulative VOC emissions from architectural painting operations and has found that these emissions exceed the combined emissions from a variety of industrial operations. Emissions from the application of architectural and industrial maintenance coatings during the summer months, typically known as the peak painting and smog season, are estimated to be more than 38 tons each day. VOCs from solvent and paint emissions contribute to harmful ozone formation. WHAT ARE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF OZONE? Ozone: • Irritates eyes, nose, throat and lungs; • Reduces breathing capacity even in healthy adults and children; • Increases susceptibility to infection, hospital visits and admissions; • Causes damage estimated to cost over millions of dollars per year
