VOC exempt solvent
VOC exempt solvents are organic compounds that are exempt from restrictions placed on most volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the United States.{{Cite journal|last=Zysman|first=Bernard|last2=Skelly|first2=P. Daniel|date=2000-02-01|title=Why some solvents are given VOC exempt status by the EPA and what the future holds|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0026057600814075|journal=Metal Finishing|language=en|volume=98|issue=2|pages=84–88|doi=10.1016/S0026-0576(00)81407-5|issn=0026-0576|access-date=2021-02-08|archive-date=2021-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208171054/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026057600814075|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Exempt Compounds|url=https://www.aqmd.gov/home/rules-compliance/compliance/vocs/exempts|access-date=2021-02-08|website=www.aqmd.gov|archive-date=2021-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208171045/https://www.aqmd.gov/home/rules-compliance/compliance/vocs/exempts|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=US EPA|first=OAR|date=2019-05-10|title=Volatile Organic Compound Exemptions|url=https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution/volatile-organic-compound-exemptions|access-date=2021-02-08|website=US EPA|language=en|archive-date=2021-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208171120/https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution/volatile-organic-compound-exemptions|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.paint.org/voc-exempt/|title=Update: U.S. EPA Exempt Volatile Organic Compounds|date=2018-01-30|website=American Coatings Association|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-20|archive-date=2021-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208171107/https://www.paint.org/voc-exempt/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://web.epa.state.oh.us/opp/solvents/fact34.html|title=Acetone Regulations and Pollution Prevention: What You Should Know|website=web.epa.state.oh.us|access-date=2019-03-27|archive-date=2019-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409195822/http://web.epa.state.oh.us/opp/solvents/fact34.html|url-status=dead}} This class of solvent currently includes acetone, dimethyl carbonate, methyl acetate, parachlorobenzotrifluoride (Oxsol 100), tert-Butyl acetate,{{Cite web |title=Tert-Butyl Acetate: VOC-Exempt Solvent for Coatings |url=https://www.lyondellbasell.com/globalassets/documents/chemicals-technical-literature/lyondellbasell-chemicals-technicalliterature-tert-butyl-acetate--voc-exempt-solvent-in-coatings-3385.pdf |website=LyondellBasell}} and propylene carbonate.{{Cite web|url=https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1pfpr.html|title=EPA VOC exempt}} The definition is often that they do not contribute to ozone or ozone depletion.{{Cite web|title=VOC Content {{!}} Determining VOC Content {{!}} Article {{!}} CP Adhesives|url=https://www.cpadhesives.com/determining-voc-content|access-date=2021-02-08|website=www.cpadhesives.com|archive-date=2021-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208171117/https://www.cpadhesives.com/determining-voc-content|url-status=live}}
Solvent
In the US, dimethyl carbonate was exempted under the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by the U.S. EPA in 2009.http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1/fact_sheets/voc_exemp01011309.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208171047/https://www.epa.gov/technical-air-pollution-resources |date=2021-02-08 }}. Information about the EPA's action on exempting dimethyl carbonate as a VOC and petitioner's background information, public comments and other references are available electronically at http://www.regulations.gov {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925153342/http://www.regulations.gov/ |date=2012-09-25 }}, EPA’s electronic public docket and comment system. The docket number for this action is Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0948. See http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t1pfpr.html and scroll down to Jan 13, 2009 pdf for the rule. Due to its classification as VOC exempt, dimethyl carbonate has grown in popularity and applications as a replacement for methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and other solvents. tert-Butyl acetate is used as a solvent in the production of lacquers, enamels, inks, adhesives, thinners and industrial cleaners.{{Cite web|title=Formulating VOC-Compliant Coatings with Exempt Solvents|url=https://www.pcimag.com/articles/86434-formulating-voc-compliant-coatings-with-exempt-solvents?v=preview|access-date=2021-02-08|website=www.pcimag.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208171051/https://www.pcimag.com/articles/86434-formulating-voc-compliant-coatings-with-exempt-solvents?v=preview|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=VOC Exempt Solvents|url=https://www.hydrite.com/Industries/Paints-Coatings-Inks-Adhesives/VOC-Exempt-Solvents.htm|access-date=2021-02-08|website=www.hydrite.com|archive-date=2021-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208171050/https://www.hydrite.com/Industries/Paints-Coatings-Inks-Adhesives/VOC-Exempt-Solvents.htm|url-status=live}} It also gained EPA VOC exempt status.
Uses
Safety
VOC exempt status does not mean that the solvent is non-flammable and thus safety must be carefully considered. For example, Acetone has an extremely low flash point and care is needed when handling.