Four commercially available low-volatile organic compound (VOC) latex paint
s were evaluated as substitutes for conventional latex paints by assessing
both their emission characteristics and their performance as coatings. Bulk
analysis indicated that the VOC contents of all four paints tested were co
nsiderably lower than those of conventional latex paints. Low VOC emissions
were confirmed by small chamber emission tests. However, significant emiss
ions of several aldehydes, especially formaldehyde which is a hazardous air
pollutant, were detected in emissions from two of the four paints. America
n Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods were used to evaluate th
e hiding power, scrub resistance, washability, dry to touch and yellowness
index. The results indicated that one of the four low-VOC paints tested sho
wed performance equivalent or superior to that of a conventional latex pain
t used as control. It was concluded that low-VOC latex paint can be a viabl
e option to replace conventional latex paints for prevention of indoor air
pollution. However, pains marketed as "low-VOC" may still have significant
emissions of some individual VOCs, and some may not have performance charac
teristics matching those of conventional latex paints.