Three questions Shenzhen "ban paint order"

“Can't use paint, what else can that use?” Recently, the Shenzhen Municipal Committee for Human Settlements announced that starting from July 1, Shenzhen will completely disable solvent-based paints (paints) and adhesives that seriously endanger the health of citizens. Qualified decoration materials become the first city in the country to limit the sales and use of solvent-based paints (paints).

It is understood that the Pearl River Delta is one of China's three major paint production bases. The new regulations in Shenzhen have spread widely. Why the ban on paint, what impact will it bring, how to decorate in the future ... With the questions of the public, the Yangcheng Evening News reporter interviewed and solved many questions.

Three questions Shenzhen "ban paint order"

Q: Why paint? A: VOCs harm the human body and pollute the atmosphere

It is understood that the interior wall paints, wood coatings and adhesives are used in indoor environments, which contain benzene series compounds, alcohol ether compounds, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as halogenated hydrocarbons, which pose a great danger to human health. The formaldehyde most familiar to the public is included. In real life, newly-renovated houses taste very heavy, and it is very likely that VOCs matter is “doing something wrong”. The reason is that these furniture, leather products, the use of paint, adhesives and other materials.

VOCs are also an important promoter of atmospheric pollution. VOCs are important causes of photochemical pollution and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, and have an important impact on atmospheric visibility and haze formation. It is estimated that the VOCs released during the course of the use of architectural decoration paints and coatings are as high as 12,000 tons/year, accounting for about 10% of the emissions from Shenzhen's VOCs solvent use key industries.

Q: What can I use after banning paint? A: The public can choose water-based paint

After painting is disabled, the public can still choose water-based paint as a decoration material. The so-called water-based paint is a paint that uses water as a diluent and does not contain organic solvents. Any paint that uses water as a solvent or a dispersion medium can be called a water-based paint. Water-based paints include water-soluble, water-dilutable, and water-dispersible (latex paints).

Advantages of water-based paint include the use of water as a solvent, which saves a lot of resources; eliminates the fire risk during construction; reduces air pollution; and uses only a small amount of low-toxic alcohol ether organic solvents, improving the operating environment conditions. The reporter learned that there are some high-quality environmental varnish on the market, and paint workers do not smell strong irritating odors when they work. However, the price of these water-based paints is also higher.

It is understood that before the official implementation of the “ban paint order”, water-based paint is already the mainstream of indoor decoration. According to official surveys, the largest products currently produced in Shenzhen are water-based paints, powder coatings, virgin acid resin paints, phenolic resin paints, high-solids coatings, and radiation-cured coatings.

Q: Does the "ban paint order" affect the geometry? A: Little impact on the construction industry, paint inventory to be transferred

Will the "ban paint order" strike Shenzhen's construction industry? Professionals told reporters that in Shenzhen's exterior paints, water-based paints account for about 80%-90%, and oil paints account for about 10-20%. The advantages of oily exterior coatings in protecting the substrate are mainly reflected in the fluorocarbon coating. Since Shenzhen is located in the coastal area, its salt content is relatively high, and it is highly corrosive to buildings. The fluorocarbon coating has stronger anti-corrosion properties and is more resistant to weather. “The current technology of water-based fluorocarbon coatings for concrete has matured, achieved water-based properties, and has advantages for use on external walls. Therefore, new technical specifications have little impact on the construction industry.”

Mr. Wu, who is engaged in the construction industry, is concerned that after the implementation of the “ban paint order”, the paint market with exceeding VOCs will be turned from underground to underground. "The inventory of dealers and manufacturers is still very large, and these paints are either sold through underground channels or transferred to third and fourth-tier cities in the surrounding and inland areas."