Regardless of how each of us personally feel about the use of solvent protectors, the government sees the spraying of solvents as harmful to the environment and hazardous to human health. As regulations increase, we should be prepared to use water-carried protectors. Scott and I wrote this post together this morning.
The government has restricted use of solvent based protectors for a long time in various states. California has effectively banned solvent based fluorochemicals since only 1% of non-compliant VOCs is allowed. The available solvents that can be used have a nasty smell or are unsafe to be sprayed (acetone). 17 other states require 40% non-volatile solvent to be used in the formula. This type of formulation created issues for cleaners as it took longer than water to dry. In 32 other states, we sell a great product called Maxim Fine Fabric without this low volatile solvent.
Some of the health and safety issues discussed above were some of the reasons for the regulations.
Here is what the California regulations state:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/consprod/regs/2015/article_2_final_1-22-15.pdf
Page 36
“Fabric Protectant” means a product designed or labeled to be applied to fabric substrates to protect the surface from soiling from dirt or other impurities or to reduce absorption of liquid into the fabric’s fibers. “Fabric Protectant” does not include “Waterproofer;” products labeled for use solely on leather; pigmented products that are designed or labeled to be used primarily for coloring; products used for construction, reconstruction, modification, structural maintenance or repair of fabric substrates; or products that renew or restore fabric. “Fabric Protectant” also does not include “Clear Coating” or “Vinyl/Fabric/Leather/Plastic Coating” as defined in section 94521(a).
Page 64 Fabric Protector limited to 1% VOC since 12/31/2010
The regulations have not been enforced as competitors have not turned in violators. In talking with regulators they rely on others to report violations and do not spend a lot of time on enforcement. HOWEVER, THE REGULATORS ARE NOW GOING AFTER THE MANUFACTURERS. My supplier has ceased making a solvent based fluorochemical as of 12/31/2015. He has a 2 to 3 year supply, but once that runs out there will be no more raw material available to make solvent based fluorochemicals.
THE EPA UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT APPROVED THE MANDATED C6 FLUOROCHEMICAL CHAIN (C8 chain was phased out over several years to be replaced by C6) CHANGE BY THE END OF 2015. CURRENTLY THE EPA HAS NO PLANS TO APPROVE THE C6 CHAIN EFFECTIVELY ENDING SOLVENT BASED FLUOROCHEMICALS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS UNLESS THERE IS AN ADMINISTRATION WHICH WILL OVERRULE SOME OF THE EPA REGULATIONS. (confirmed this morning that nothing has changed) IN SHORT, NO MANUFACTURER CAN PRODUCE SOLVENT BASED FLUOROCHEMICAL
AT THIS POINT, THEY CAN ONLY SELL WHAT WAS MADE BEFORE THE END OF 2015.