United States National Risk Management

Environmental Protection Research Laboratory

Agency Cincinnati, OH 45268

EPA Project Summary

Research and Development EPA/600/SR-96/015 March 1996

Solvent-based chemical strippers are

currently used in the furniture repair

and refinishing industry to remove both

traditional and emerging low-VOC (volatile organic compound) wood furniture

coatings. The purpose of this research

was to evaluate the feasibility of using

alternatives to high VOC/HAP (hazardous air pollutant) solvent-based chemical strippers that are currently used in

the furniture repair and refinishing industry to remove both traditional highVOC lacquer and emerging, low-VOC,

wood furniture coatings. Five alternative chemical strippers, consisting of

one industrial and four retail chemical

strippers, were screened. The specific

objectives of this research were to:

1. Conduct a laboratory evaluation of

the performance of five alternative

chemical stripper formulations and

compare their performance to that

of a traditional solvent-based

chemical stripper formulation on

three coatings types found on

wood furniture substrates.

2. Assess, in a furniture refinishing

facility, the use of the best performing alternative chemical stripper on traditional furniture coatings and new emerging low-VOC

furniture coatings.

Alternative chemical strippers were

evaluated based on their stripping effectiveness compared to a methylenechloride-based stripper. A panel experienced in chemical stripping evaluated

the samples and selected the most effective chemical stripper for further

evaluation. An on-site assessment of

the best performing alternative chemical stripper from the screening evaluation took place at a Durham, NC, furniture refinishing facility.

This Project Summary was developed

by the National Risk Management

Reserch Laboratory’s Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division, Research

Triangle Park, NC, to announce key

findings of the research project that is

fully documented in a separate report

of the same title (see Project Report

ordering information at back).

Project Background

Ozone nonattainment and air toxic problems are among the most difficult environmental issues facing the U.S. Although

most large stationary sources of volatile

organic compound (VOC) emissions are

covered by present or imminent regulations, small perennial area sources of VOC

emissions may contribute significantly to

the ozone nonattainment problem. According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) source, “collectively

small area sources may contribute as

much as 50% of VOC emissions.”

Significant contributors to these environmental issues are VOC emissions that

result from the use of a wide range of

commercial/consumer products. Because

VOC emissions from most consumer/commercial products cannot be controlled by

traditional add-on control devices, they

must be mitigated by pollution prevention

techniques, such as product substitution,

product reformulation, use procedure alterations, and other methods that reduce

or eliminate VOC and air toxic emissions.

As defined by the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990:

The term consumer or commercial product means any substance, product (including paints, coatings, and solvents),

Nonprocess Solvent Use in the

Furniture Refinishing and Repair

Industry: Evaluation of

Alternative Chemical Strippers

S. L. Turner
2

or article (including any container or

packaging) held by any person, the use,

consumption, storage, disposal, destruction, or decomposition of which may

result in the release of VOCs. The term

does not include fuels or fuel additives

regulated under Section 211, or motor

vehicles, nonroad vehicles, and nonroad

engines as defined under Section 216.

A preliminary approach for evaluating

environmental problems associated with

nonprocess solvent uses is to conduct a

study to quantify and qualify VOC emissions from consumer/commercial products.

Using this approach, researchers can assess the product’s1

 potential contribution

to increased urban ozone levels and establish criteria for reducing environmental

impacts.

Researchers have initiated several studies of the emissions from various categories of traditional consumer products. Traditional consumer products for the purposes of this report include:

• personal care products (e.g., hair

sprays, deodorants, mouthwash),

• household products (e.g., cleaners,

laundry products, air fresheners),

• automotive care products (e.g., brake

cleaners, polishes, antifreeze),

• adhesives and sealants (e.g., household glues, wallpaper pastes, caulks),

• lawn and garden care products (e.g.,

insecticide sprays and foggers, herbicides), and

• coatings and coating removers (e.g.,

spray paints, chemical strippers, lacquers)

The definition of consumer or commercial products contained in the CAAA is

broad. It defines traditional consumer products and nontraditional consumer products, such as paints, coatings, and solvents, used in commercial and industrial

facilities. Within this definition is some uncertainty concerning the types of materials, products, and/or processes that should

be included. Examples of these uncertainties include solvent-containing roofing materials and paving asphalt. As research

efforts continue in this area, the scope of

consumer or commercial products will be

better defined.

The research presented in this report

has developed from two previously completed studies. The primary purpose of

the first study was to gather and evaluate

existing data on nonprocess solvents used

in 15 different business categories. Based

on that study, several business categories

were selected for further, more detailed

evaluation. The furniture refinishing and

repair industry was one business category

selected for further research. The focus of

the second study addressed the use of

nonprocess solvents for furniture refinishing and repair, emissions from these solvents, and opportunities for pollution prevention. The second study final report has

been submitted to EPA for publication.

Although the second study focused on

emissions of nonprocess solvents that are

defined as VOCs, the scope was broadened to include nonprocess solvent use

of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) and

methylene chloride (CH2C12). By definition, VOCs are organic compounds that

participate in atmospheric photochemical

reactions, contributing to the formation of

tropospheric ozone. Because these chemicals have negligible photochemical reaktivity, 1,1,1-TCA and CH2C12

 are not classified as VOCs. However, both compounds

are classified by the EPA as Hazardous

Air Pollutants (HAPs). In addition, 1,1,1-

TCA is classified as a Class 1, Group V

controlled substance because of its stratospheric ozone depletion potential. Both

1,1,1-TCA and CH2Cl2 are used in a variety of nonprocess applications; therefore,

information was gathered on the use of

these chemicals as well. The complete

project objectives for the second study

were to assess the uses and emissions

from nonprocess solvents used for furniture refinishing and repair, and to recommend pollution prevention and control measures that could be used to reduce these

emissions.

Evaluation of solvent-based chemical

strippers represents current research. Initially, five chemical strippers were screened

and the most effective alternative chemical stripper was selected for further evaluation. Alternative chemical strippers were

evaluated based on their stripping effectiveness compared to a standard CH2Cl2

-

based stripper. An onsite assessment took

place at a local furniture refinishing facility

in Durham, NC. The EPA, RTI, four North

Carolina coating suppliers, one local lumber supply company, and two local furniture refinishing facilities participated in this

project. This report presents the results of

this segment of research.

The information contained in this report

is likely to benefit the furniture refinishing

industry. Therefore, this report is intended

to be a source for technology transfer.

Results will be made available to users of

solvent-based chemical strippers who are

seeking environmentally acceptable alternatives to these products and local agencies that help these individuals.

Conclusion and

Recommendations

The first objective of this project was to

conduct a laboratory evaluation of the performance of alternative chemical strippers

and compare their performance to that of

a traditional solvent-based chemical stripper on wood furniture coatings. From the

laboratory evaluation, Chemical Stripper 4

(d-Limonene) was selected as the best

alternative chemical stripper. Its average

quality of coating removal was ranked as

7.9 on a scale from 0 to 10. The refinishers

on the panel of evaluators admired the

condition of the wood coupons treated

with Chemical Stripper 4.

The second objective was to assess

Chemical Stripper 4 in a furniture repair

and refinishing facility. The refinisher performed the onsite assessment using a

chair seat, a square table top and a circular table top, and was pleased with the

removal quality following treatment of

Chemical Stripper 4 on the three surfaces.

He was equally pleased to know that the

formation did not include constituents identified as toxic chemicals. However, he expressed some concern regarding the cost

of the alternative chemical stripper. The

refinisher was given the remainder of the

1-gal (3.8-L) sample, a copy of the product information, and the name of the supplier with whom to establish personal contact. The use of the alternative chemical

stripper as a viable substitute was left to

the discretion of the refinisher at the host

facility.

In addition to a viable substitute for solvent-based chemical strippers based on

the effectiveness of the alternative chemical strippers, the potential effect of the

alternative chemical stripper on air emissions and the related cost were determined. Although VOC emission estimates

are higher for Chemical Stripper 4 (dLimonene), it does not contain constituents identified as HAPs. In addition, emission estimates were based on the amount

of chemical stripper used per area. The

total surface area covered using each

chemical stripper in this study was roughly

the same; however, the film thickness and

the amount of each individual chemcial

stripper applied to the wooden coupons

were different. (The manufacturer’s directions and suggestions were followed to

achieve the best performance of each

chemical stripper.)

1Nonprocess solvents are defined as solvents used by

industry, commercial operations, and/or individual consumers and are not a part of a manufacturing production line or incorporated into a product or chemically

modified as part of the manufacturing process.

Nonprocess solvents usually evaporate either during

or shortly after their use. Cleaning and lubricating

solvents are generally considered nonprocess solvents. An exception to this is in-process parts cleaning,

such as vapor degreasing
3

S. Turner is with Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.

Robert C. McCrillis is the EPA Project Officer (see below).

The complete report, entitled “Nonprocess Solvent Use in the Furniture Refinishing

and Repair Industry: Evaluation of Alternative Chemical Strippers,” (Order No.

PB96-96-153416; Cost: $35.00, subject to change) will be available only from:

National Technical Information Service

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfield, VA 22161

Telephone: 703-487-4650

The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:

Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division

National Risk Management Research Laboratory

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Research Triangle Park NC 27709

• •

United States

Environmental Protection Agency

National Risk Management Research Laboratory (G-72)

Cincinnati, OH 45268

EPA/600/SR-96/015

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use $300

BULK RATE

POSTAGE & FEES PAID

EPA

PERMIT No. G-35