Chemicals of Emerging Concern in Water-Based Paint Products

Driven by regulatory requirements and market demands, the paint industry has replaced conventional “solvent-based” paints with “water-based” paints containing zero or low amounts of volatile organic compounds. To achieve comparable performance and ensure product quality, water-based paints often contain various chemical additives. In this study, we analyzed 40 water-based paint products of different brands in the global market. Semivolatile organic compounds were widely detected, with concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 3.5% by weight. Several new coalescing agents were identified with a high detection frequency, including 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate, diisobutyl adipate, and triethylene glycol bis(2-ethylhexanoate) (TEG-EH). Preservatives, such as 2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolone and octhilinone, were also identified in half of the paint products. The functionality of the chemicals in water-based paints was determined by analyzing the raw material formulations used by paint manufacturers. To identify chemicals of potential concern, the detected compounds were prioritized on the basis of their toxicity. A case study of TEG-EH emissions showed that the use of water-based paints may lead to long-term exposure. The results significantly expanded our knowledge of emerging chemicals in paint products, highlighting the importance of making decisions for sustainable chemical management and designing safe paint products.