by Ron Joseph
March, 2005
Definition of Exempt Solvents, (VOC)
Q. Ron, Excellent presentation in Metal Finishing this month (Feb '05) re VOC. Could
I ask (1) where do you look to find the "exempt" and "non-exempt"
status of a solvent.....is there a good website? (2) did the EPA Method 24 use
the test method of ASTM, i.e., 1 hour drying at 105°C, as a basis for "volatiles"?
Do they still use this method at all?
Thanks, and keep up the good work.
A. Thanks for the compliment.
40 CFR Part 51.100(s) "Volatile organic compounds (VOC) means any compound
of carbon, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic
carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate, which participates in atmospheric
photochemical reactions.
(1) This includes any such organic compound other than the following, which
have been determined to have negligible photochemical reactivity:
acetone
methyl acetate
methylene chloride (dichloromethane)
1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)
parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF)
cyclic, branched, or linear completely methylated siloxanes
(Comment: several other compounds not listed here since they are not applicable
to Paints and Coatings)
(2) For purposes of determining compliance with emissions limits, VOC will
be measured by the test methods in the approved State implementation plan (SIP)
or 40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as applicable. Where such a method also measures
compounds with negligible photochemical reactivity, these negligibility-reactive
compounds may be excluded as VOC if the amount of such compounds is accurately
quantified, and such exclusion is approved by the enforcement authority."
EPA
Method 24 uses ASTM D-2369 and the coating is heated for 1 hour at 110oC (230oF).This
method is still current.
Best Wishes,
Ron Joseph
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