VOC Regulations

What are VOC's?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large and diverse family of chemicals that contain carbon and hydrogen. They can be emitted into indoor air from a variety of sources including cigarette smoke, household products like air fresheners, furnishings, vehicle exhaust and building materials such as paint, varnish and glues.

What's so bad about VOC’s?

Some VOCs such as benzene and toluene are known to be toxic, but only at concentrations far above those typically found in Canadian homes. There is limited evidence that directly links VOC mixtures found in homes to known health problems. Concerns about VOCs arise from the hypothesis that, when combined, the toxicity of hundreds of VOCs could "add up" to create or worsen health problems such as asthma and "sick building syndrome", but this remains unproven.

How Do I Prevent or Fix the Problem?

• Open the windows: Ensure sufficient ventilation during major painting or varnishing projects.
• Choose low-emission products when possible: Some paints and varnishes that are labelled as "low VOC" emit fewer VOCs than others and are a great choice.

VOC New Regulations

The Government of Canada has introduced regulations that are aimed at protecting the environment and the health of Canadians from the effects of air pollution. They will reduce the amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) contained in decorative coatings such as alkyd paints, varnishes and wood stains. While paint is a relatively small contributor to total VOC emissions in Canada, it is the responsibility of paint manufacturers to help reduce total emissions.

What products will this affect?

The 2010 VOC regulations will mainly affect alkyd paints. All CIL water-based products are already compliant. However, the Government has recognized that certain types of alkyd paint are essential. The following categories of paints will continue to be produced:

• Flat for Calcimine (Stucco) Ceilings
• Stain sealing primers
• Rust preventative metal paints
• High gloss floor enamels

When is this all happening?

From September 9, 2010 no manufacturer can produce or import any products that are not compliant. In store, non-compliant products can be sold up until September of 2012 but then that’s it. However, painters can continue use these products until their supplies are exhausted.

Are CIL products the only ones affected by these regulations?

No. All paint manufacturers, importers and stores in Canada are equally affected by these regulations.

*Source: Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/air/in/poll/construction/organi-eng.php