Number

232-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

Insurface treatment of panels for walls and ceilings (MDF-plates) an acid-cured primer and top-coating can be substituted with a water-based primer and an UV-cured top coating. This reduces the amount of coating used, reduces the solvent emissionby 96 % and reduces the amount and number of classified ingredients with carcinogenic and reprotoxic effects. The alternative still contains a small percentage of an additive that may cause cancer. Further research isneeded to eliminate this.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Evidence of assessment: there is evidence of an official (positive) assessment of the substitution
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed

Reason substitution

CMR
skin/respiratory sensitizing
PBT
ecotoxicity

Hazard Assessment

Substances to be substituted: The traditional system contains a total of 47% of 6 classified ingredients (formaldehyde, octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane, solvent naphtha, n-butyl acetate, n-butyl alcohol, ortho phosphoric acid). Formaldehyde may cause cancer cat. 1B, according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). It fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Solvent naphtha may cause cancer cat. 1B, according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). It fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). N-Butyl acetate is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. N-butyl alcohol is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Orthophosphoric acid is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Alternative substances: The new system contains a total of 5.6% of the two classified ingredients. Light paraffinic distillates may cause cancer cat. 1A, according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). It fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). 2-Amino-2-methylpropanol is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database.

Description of Substitution

The possibilities for substitution of surface treatment of panels for walls and ceilings (MDF-panels) were analysed as part of a project performed for the Danish EPA. The aim was to get an overview over current possibilities of substitution in traditional surface treatments in the wood industry and assess the consequences for health, environment and performance. The project group has assessed the coating systems (preliminary treatment, primer, coating and finishing treatment) based on a declaration of all ingredients. Not all substances are the report are identified with a CAS-number, some are identified in groups like binders. A traditional system in use in Danish companies was compared to a new system. MDF panels are traditionally coated with an acid-cured primer and top-coating and this was compared to an UV-cured sealer and a water-based top-coating. The new system does not fully live up to the traditional, but the difference is small. Especially concerning resistance to alcohol, coffee stains and scratches the traditional coating has better test results. In the traditional surface treatment both the primer and the top coating contain 6 classified ingredients amounting to 47% of the product. Several of these substances are classified as carcinogenic or reprotoxic. In the new water-based primer the percentage of classified ingredients is reduced to 1/10 and the primer contains in total two classified ingredients (solvent naphtha and 2-amino-2-methyl-propanol). Solvent naphtha was also present in the traditional primer, but the amount is reduced in the new primer.The UV hardening coating system does not contain any classified substances. The report concludes that a 96% reduction of emission of solvents is obtained by the substitution and that this is a major positive effect of the substitution concerning occupational and environmental health. The project also raises a concern of the allergy risk concerning UV-cured acrylates and refers to another EPA project about this. http://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publikationer/2010/978-87-92708-78-6/pdf/978-87-92708-79-3.pdf " target="_blank" rel="noopener">In this project the amount of fugitive monomers is measured from 73 UV-cured furniture lacquers. An EN http://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publikationer/2010/978-87-92708-78-6/Artikel/Replacement%20of%20fugitive%20monomers%20from%20UV-cured%20furniture%20lacquers.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article can be downloaded.

Case/substitution evaluation

In this case story formaldehyde, octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane, solvent naphthacould besubstituted. Hereby a substantial amount of carcinogenic and reprotoxic substances could be avoided. The alternative product still contains a small percentage of solvent naphtha (that may cause cancer), and SUBPORT therefore suggest further research for an alternative to this additive.

State of implementation

In use

Date and place of implementation

2011

Producer/Provider

www.teknos.dk

Type of information supplier

Authority

Contact

Danish EPA www.mst.dk

Type of publication and availability

Scientific report. Freely avalable for download. Report in Danish, summary in EN

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

Nielsen, P.K., Poulsen, P.B., Bjarnov, E., Lerbak, H,D., Hawkins, S.: Substitution af diffundérbare råvarer i UV-hærdende lakker til træmøbler. Miljøprojekt Nr. 1353 2010. Danish Environmental Protection Agency, 2010

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publikationer/2010/978-87-92708-78-6/pdf/978-87-92708-79-3.pdf

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021