This article focuses on a comprehensive range of waterborne coating technologies, which include water-reducible, dispersion, and latex formulations. Advantages and disadvantages of each of the resin systems are listed to serve as a guide to assist in the selection of a VOC compliant coating. Metal fabricators and coating users located in areas that are considered to be in non-attainment with the ozone standard have already addressed the problems of selecting VOC compliant coatings. However, the New Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 have more clearly defined when an area is in attainment with the standard. In fact, the implementation of VOC regulations for surface coatings will depend on whether an area has been designated extreme (only Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside), severe, serious, moderate, or marginal. Consequently, thousands of fabricators and other coating users who have not previously been affected by the VOC regulations, will soon be searching for low-VOC coatings. The predominant question people will need to resolve is whether to convert to low-VOC, solvent-based coatings or waterborne coating systems.
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