제  목 : Propesal Would Cut Pollution From Paints, Coatings
  일  자 : 1996년 11월
  제공처 : Safety ＆ Health

  An EPA proposal would cut emissions of volatile organic compounds
      from architectural and industrial maintenance coatings by 20 percent,
      or 106,000 tons annually. Volatile organic compounds are one of
      the primary ingredients in the formation of smog, or ground-level
      ozone. Architectural coatings include products such as exterior
      and interior house paints, deck sealers, highway and traffic paints,
      primers, industrial maintenance coatings, and wood and roof coatings.
      They are commonly used by consumers and contractors.

  The proposed rule would apply to about 500 architectural-coating
      manufacturers and importers nationwide, and to 55 categories of
      architectural coatings. Under the proposal, manufacturers would
      reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds in the coatings
      by reformulsting their products. The coatings themselves would
      then contain fewer volatile organic compounds and emit less
      pollution when consumers or contractors used them, according to
      Ellen Ducey in the EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards.

  According to the EPA, the proposal would significantly reduce
      overall emissions. "The emissions from these industrial coatings
      represent 2 percent of all man-made volatile organic compounds
      emissions," says Ducey. "They are one of the largest identifiable,
      unregulated sources of volatile organic compounds."

  The EPA has proposed a volatile organic compound content level
      for each architectural coating, similar to levels already in effect
      in New York and New Jersey. Many coatings currently on the market
      already meet these levels, according to the EPA.

  The proposal contains several compliance options and exemptions
      that would provide flexibility to small companies. One variance
      provision would allow extended compliance time based on economic
      hardship.

  The EPA believes the proposed rule will help states attain federal
      smog standards without further tightening controls on cars and small
      facilities. "Every state has to look at smaller and smaller sources
      of volatile organic compounds" for reductions, says Ducey.

  The proposed rule applies only to architectural coatings
      manufactured for sale or distribution in the United States
      after April 1, l997.  For more information, contact Ellen Ducey
      in the EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standads at
      (9l9) 541-5408.