Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Development of a Non-Toxic Paint Stripper
EPA Contract Number: 68HERD19C0028Title: Development of a Non-Toxic Paint Stripper
Investigators: Ellis, William
Small Business: TDA Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: May 1, 2019 through October 31, 2019
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2019) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR): Phase 1 (2019) , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Toxic Chemicals
Description:
There is a tremendous need for an all-purpose paint stripper that is safe to handle and that does not harm the environment. The most popular all-purpose paint strippers are based on methylene chloride (MeCl), which is dangerous to workers and harmful to the environment. In particular, it is highly volatile, and if it is used in an area with poor ventilation it is an immediate health hazard. In extreme circumstances, acute exposure to MeCl vapor can lead to death. Due to the inherent hazards that MeCl presents, its use in paint strippers has been restricted by the EPA. MeCl-based paint strippers can no longer be sold in stores and are unavailable to private consumers. For this reason, it is critical to develop a replacement paint stripper that is non-hazardous to both consumers and the environment.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
During this Phase I project, TDA developed a paint stripping formulation that is MeCl-free and composed entirely of non-toxic ingredients. The paint stripper does not use aggressive industrial solvents such as Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) or N-Methyl Pyrrolidinone (NMP), unlike many MeCl-free paint strippers currently on the market. As these solvents are relative newcomers in paint stripper formulations, they have not been as thoroughly tested as MeCl, and their hazards are not fully quantified. All of the components used in TDA's paint stripping formulation have undergone and passed rigorous safety testing and are not harmful to the environment.
Conclusions:
We evaluated our paint stripper against a wide range of coatings and compared its performance against two of the top MeCl-free paint strippers that are currently available. Our paint stripper removed coatings faster than either of these commercial paint strippers. It will remove architectural or furniture coatings in 30 minutes or less. We are currently in discussions with a major coating manufacturer to commercialize our product.
SBIR Phase II:
Development of a Non‐Toxic Paint Stripper | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.