Compute regulatory VOC content (less water & exempt) following EPA Method 24 principles.
Environmental compliance specialists and coating manufacturers use this calculator to quickly determine regulatory limits. By inputting formulation density, weight fractions, and excluded components, you can accurately calculate the VOC coating content less water and exempt solvents following EPA Method 24. Seamlessly convert between grams per liter and pounds per gallon to instantly verify a product's pass or fail status against regional air quality limits.
This is a regulatory calculation, often called "Regulatory VOC," that subtracts the volume of water and EPA-exempt solvents from the total volume of the coating. This prevents formulators from simply diluting paints with water to meet VOC limits.
The EPA classifies certain solvents as exempt because they have been scientifically proven to have negligible photochemical reactivity, meaning they do not significantly contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone (smog).
EPA Method 24 is the standard laboratory procedure used to determine the density, volatile content, water content, and exempt solvent content of surface coatings. It is the definitive method for verifying compliance with national VOC regulations.
Material VOC, or "Actual VOC," is the total mass of VOCs per volume of the coating exactly as supplied. Regulatory VOC excludes the volume of water and exempts, resulting in a higher, more restrictive number used for compliance.