AIR POLLUTION CONTROL IN THE FINISHING INDUSTRY

摘要

While the finishing industry strives to perfect the quality of finished products, it also has to be aware of the environmental impact of the use of its materials. The Federal EPA, state agencies, and even local agencies have all targeted surface finishing as a major source of atmospheric emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and particulates. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 have affected most finishers from large aircraft painting hangars to small parts painting booths. Three major areas targeted by the Clean Air Act that have direct correlation to surface finishing are (1) ozone nonattainment, (2) toxic airborne pollutants, and (3) ozone depletion. When VOCs react with nitrous oxides and sunlight in the lower atmosphere, they create ozone (or smog). Many urban and even nonurban areas in the U.S. do not meet the federal maximum limits for ozone in atmosphere (ozone nonattainment). Thus, the regulatory agencies are restricting the emission of VOC into the atmosphere, including solvent emissions from paint shops and other coaters that use large amounts of solvent.