Volatile organic compound (VOC) definitions, standards and methodologies vary in different regions of the world and continue to evolve. The United States uses the EPA Method 24 oven volatility test (ASTM D2369) as a measure of VOC.1,2 ASTM D6886 is another VOC test used for some regulatory focuses and is based on a GC assay of VOC components. The data from these tests are used by paint manufacturers to assure that their paints meet the regulatory limits set for the type of paint tested in each region in the United States.
The European Union also uses a GC method (ISO 11890–2), which is specified in EU Directive 2004/42/CE to determine the relative volatilities of compounds; a VOC by this test is any compound that elutes prior to a marker compound with a boiling point of less than 250 °C. However, a 280 °C marker is now being considered as well as a “more practical test” using the ISO 16000-6 chamber method.3-6 The chamber method is specified to be a part of the German AgBB specification, but this type of method is also referred to in USGB LEED v4 as part of the testing for their certification. All of these measures relate to the actual volatility of the material used as a coalescent.