The Green Solvents Show #012
The Maximum Incremental Reactivity (MIR) value measures the tendency of a chemical to form ground-level ozone and smog. Air pollution control regulators are looking to regulate the use of solvents in coatings based on their MIR values. This new control measure adds to the complexity of formulating compliant coatings and adhesive for manufacturers.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers struggling to find solvents that work effectively and are safe for both employees and customers, and which meet the changing regulations. For example, new MIR emission regulations in California for solvents begin in 2016 and come into full effect 01 January, 2017.

Invest 20 minutes to listen to The Green Solvents Show and learn more about environmentally-friendly solvents for the workplace. Host Erik Reynolds interviews Dave Pasin, co-founder and President of TBF Environmental, about the importance of MIR values and the upcoming new regulations.
What Is An MIR Value?
Dave begins the podcast by explaining what the MIR value is and how it was developed. The MIR value measures the reactivity of a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) in the atmosphere. VOCs react with other airborne chemicals in the presence of sunlight to create smog. MIR was conceived by Dr. William Carter at the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Carter wanted to simplify VOC regulations by focussing on the ones with the greatest potential to create smog. He created the MIR value to rank VOCs by their incremental reactivities, so that regulators can focus on the solvents with an MIR above a threshold value.

The MIR scale was adopted by the California Air Resources Board, and is now being adopted by the EPA.
New Regulations for MIR
The California Air Resources Board has enacted stricter regulations on the maximum MIR value of VOCs. This will limit the range of solvents that industries can use in their formulation of their paints, inks and adhesives, etc.

During the podcast, Dave will answer the following questions:

When will the new regulations come into effect?
Is the formation of ozone just a problem for the local area?
What will the benefits be for environment with the new regulations?
Why do different locations need different regulations for MIR values?
How do TBF Environmental products compare to their competitors for MIR values?

Health Benefits
There are also health benefits associated with using VOC’s with lower MIR values. The smog created by high MIR solvents is particularly dangerous for asthma sufferers. Even healthy individuals continuously exposed to ozone for only 6 or 7 hours can suffer from reduced lung function and inflammation of the respiratory tract.

Using lower MIR solvents will improve the health of plant workers and the local community.
More Information on Low MIR Solvents
To protect workers and the environment, and to comply with ever-tightening regulations, manufacturers are moving to low MIR solvents. Invest 20 minutes to listen to Dave Pasin’s discussion on solvents and MIR in this podcast. Then return to this page to share your thoughts below.

TBF Environmental Technology (TBF) manufactures solvents designed to meet and / or exceed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State VOC emission requirements. These products utilize innovative chemical formulations which are as effective as conventional toxic solvents, but with much less damage to human health and the environment.

Listen to Dave Pasin in this podcast to learn the results of the comparison. Then come back and give us your feedback.