Covered Products
This specification covers chemical coating removal products. Coating removal products include, but are not limited to, those meant to remove paint (oil and latex based), epoxy, shellac, lacquer, polyurethane, varnish, automotive, boat, bathtub, tile, asphalt/tar, and furniture coatings as well as adhesives and graffiti. This specification does not include degreasers, floor coating removal products, or mechanical coating removal processes.
Background
The chemicals traditionally used in coating removal products, methylene chloride (MC) and Nmethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), can be harmful to human health. MC can cause chronic organ toxicity, cancer, and can effect the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. It can also have acute neurological and respiratory effects that can result in death. NMP is a skin, eye, and respiratory hazard. Exposure can cause headache, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, and can lead to malformation of an embryo. It is also an environmental hazard that can leach into groundwater through wastewater and release volatile emissions into the atmosphere.
For these reasons, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ruled for the removal of MC from consumer coating removal products and has released a draft risk evaluation for NMP. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has also identified paint and varnish strippers containing MC as priority products, and has proposed that paint and varnish strippers and graffiti removers containing NMP be priority products.
The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell (TURI) has researched and tested alternatives to MC and NMP in coating removal products. TURI found that there are safer and effective alternatives available on the market for consumer and commercial use and ranked these alternatives from highest hazard (Benchmark 1) to lowest hazard (Benchmark 4).
Standards Setting and Certification Programs
Green Seal is a non-profit, independent, third-party standard setting and certification organization that follows the Guiding Principles and Procedures for Type I Environmental Labeling adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14024). Green Seal has developed environmental standards and certifies products for more than 40 major product categories.
UL EcoLogo is an independent, third-party standard setting and certification program that follows the Guiding Principles and Procedures for Type I Environmental Labeling adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14024). Since its establishment in 1988, EcoLogo has been recognized or referenced in hundreds of specifications and standards. It has standards for cleaning products, sanitary paper, trash bags, adhesives and more. UL EcoLogo certified products are listed on the UL SPOT database at www.ul.com/SPOT.
Specifications
Affected entities shall, to the maximum extent practicable, procure coating removal products that do not contain MC or NMP.
Affected entities are encouraged to procure coating removal products with one of the following third party certifications to the maximum extent practicable, when procuring applicable products:
- GreenSeal: GS-53 Specialty Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use, which covered adhesive and graffiti removers for industrial and institutional use.
- UL EcoLogo: UL 2767 Paint and Varnish Remover, which covers all paint and varnish removers.
Where products certified by one of the listed third party certifications are not cost competitive or meet the form, function and utility requirements, affected entities are encouraged to procure products that do not contain dimethyl formamide, ethyl benzene, methanol, naphthalene, Stoddard solvent, toluene, or xylene.
All companies contracted to remove coatings on or in property owned by the State, such as facilities, fleet vehicles, watercraft, etc., shall use coating removal products that meet the requirements of this specification.
Packaging
Packaging shall comply with Environmental Conservation Law section 37-0205. Packaging shall not contain inks, dyes, pigments, adhesives, stabilizers, or any other additives to which any lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium is intentionally added or contain incidental concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury or hexavalent chromium which together are greater than 100 parts per million by weight (0.01%).
New York State encourages affected entities to adopt the following in order of preference when purchasing items that come in packaging:
- Items that do not need packaging, or the packaging is part of the product.
- Items that come in reusable packaging.
- Items that come in bulk packaging.
- Items that come in innovative packaging that reduces the amount of packaging.
- Items that come in packaging that remains the property of the supplier and does not become the property of the end user under any circumstance or condition. The vendor shall certify that the packaging material will be reused, recycled, or composted, and managed in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
- Items that come in packaging that maximizes recycled or biodegradable (compostable) content and/or meets or exceeds the minimum post-consumer content level for packaging in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. Biodegradable products should only be used in areas where a composting facility exists that accept the material.
- Items that come in Packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable (compostable). Biodegradable products should only be used in areas where a composting facility exists and will accept the material.