PG
17
HEALTH & SAFETY
Research across the globe reveals that
environmental impact of paint can be
varied. Traditional painting materials and
processes can have harmful effects due to
their contents that include lead and other
additives. Environmentalists have argued
that the continuous use of these paints
may cause long-term adverse effects on
people. As a result, researchers have been
tasked to come upwithmeasures to reduce
environmental impact, including precisely
estimating paint quantities to minimise
wastage and use of zero VOC eco-friendly
paints.
Crown Paints became the first paint
company in the region to roll out the
zero VOC range of paints in the market
by unveiling five brands for both interior
and exterior surfaces. According to the
company’s Chief Executive Officer, Rakesh
Rao, the need to innovate green paints has
been driven by themarket demands for use
of greener, more sustainable construction
materials. Mr. Rao further added, “We have
beenmanufacturing lowVOCrangeof paints
for some time but after years of research,
we are the first company in the region to go
a step further tomanufacture and offer zero
VOC paints.” Opting for zero VOC paints will
help create more environmentally friendly
and healthier interior and exterior spaces
afterpaintwork.
TheCEOnoted that developers in the region
were keenly adopting the global trend of
constructing using materials that have
the least impact on the environment. “We
have done extensive research on how to
manufacture eco-friendly paints locally for a
very long time. Therefore, with the support
of our partners and friends we are pleased
to announce that that the process came to a
successful completion. The introduction of
zeroVOCpaints is proof of our commitment
to offer the highest quality, innovative
products of superior value to our customers
in the region. It also reflectsonourmission to
ensure that our products meet and exceed
healthandsafetynorms,”saidMr. Rao.
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are
solids and liquids found in ordinary paints
that convert easily to gas or vapour at room
temperature which, when exposed to the
environment and humans, can have
harmful effects. As a result of recent
global researches, zero VOC paints
are being developed to offer the
samehighstandardofpaintwithout
the potentially unsafe chemical
components.
The Crown Paints zero VOC paints
contain special colourants sourced
from Lorama, Canada which adhere
to zero VOCs requirements as per the
highest global standard, ASTM D6886
(ASTM – American Standards & Testing
Methods). The finished product
ranges are tested in an accredited
a n a l y t i c a l l a b o r a t o r y, TUV
Singapore for zero VOCs contents
as per the British Standard (BS)
Method-BSENISO11890-2:2006.
These paints have a non-hazardous
environmental impact due to negligible
volatile chemicals presence and are also
ideal for peoplewhoareparticularlysensitive
to paint fumes. Additionally, the new range
comesatnoextracost totheconsumer.
They are odourless, making them perfect
for schools, hospitals and homes. “With
the demand for architectural paint growing
rapidly due to the robust construction
industry worldwide, many government
agencies are now enforcing zero VOC paint
production in their
countries,”
addedMr.
Rao.
