Aqueous coating compositions with de minimis volatile emissions

An aqueous coating composition comprising:

• a treated acrylic latex, wherein the acrylic latex is treated to remove unreacted monomers such that the treated acrylic latex contains less than about 50 ppm of unreacted monomers;
• one or more pigments selected from the group consisting of opacifying pigments, color pigments, and extender pigments;
• and
• optionally one or more additives selected from the group consisting of coalescence agents, pH adjustors, surfactants, defoamers, dispersants, rheology modifiers, biocides, and preservatives,
• wherein the aqueous coating composition has
• (i) a total detected volatile emissions value of less than about 250 ppm as measured according to headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at about 120° C.;
• and
• (ii) a Comparative Odor Intensity Index value of less than about 2.0,
• wherein the aqueous coating composition has a pH of about 6 to about 10.

An aqueous coating composition comprising:

• a treated acrylic latex, wherein the acrylic latex is treated to remove unreacted monomers such that the treated acrylic latex contains less than about 50 ppm of unreacted monomers;
• one or more pigments selected from the group consisting of opacifying pigments, color pigments, and extender pigments;
• and
• optionally one or more additives selected from the group consisting of coalescence agents, pH adjustors, surfactants, defoamers, dispersants, rheology modifiers, biocides, and preservatives,
• wherein the aqueous composition is a tinted composition;
• and
• wherein the aqueous coating composition has
• (i) a volatile emission factor value of less than about 500 μg/m2·hr, as measured according to ASTM D-5116 after a four hour period, and
• (ii) a Comparative Odor Intensity Index value of less than about 2.0,
• wherein the aqueous coating composition has a pH of about 6 to about 10.

An aqueous coating composition comprising:

• a treated acrylic latex, wherein the acrylic latex is treated to remove unreacted monomers such that the treated acrylic latex contains less than about 50 ppm of unreacted monomers;
• one or more pigments selected from the group consisting of opacifying pigments and extender pigments;
• and
• optionally one or more additives selected from the group consisting of coalescence agents, pH adjustors, surfactants, defoamers, dispersants, rheology modifiers, biocides, and preservatives,
• wherein the aqueous coating composition has
• (i) a volatile emission factor value of less than about 50 μg/m2·hr, as measured according to ASTM D-5116 after a twenty-four hour period, and
• (ii) a Comparative Odor Intensity Index value of less than about 2.0,
• wherein the aqueous coating composition has a pH of about 6 to about 10.

An aqueous coating composition comprising:

• a treated acrylic latex, wherein the acrylic latex is treated to remove unreacted monomers such that the treated acrylic latex contains less than about 50 ppm of unreacted monomers;
• one or more pigments selected from the group consisting of opacifying pigments, color pigments, and extender pigments;
• and
• a coalescence agent comprises an organic compound with a boiling point above 220° C., wherein the coalescence agent makes up about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition;
• optionally one or more additives selected from the group consisting of pH adjustors, surfactants, defoamers, dispersants, rheology modifiers, biocides, and preservatives,
• wherein the aqueous composition is a tinted composition;
• and
• wherein the aqueous coating composition has
• (i) a volatile emission factor value of less than about 500 μg/m2·hr, as measured according to ASTM D-5116 after a four hour period, and
• (ii) a Comparative Odor Intensity Index value of less than about 2.0, wherein the aqueous coating composition has a pH of about 6 to about 10.

A method for manufacturing an aqueous coating composition comprising the steps of

• i. providing an acrylic latex having less than about 50 ppm unreacted monomers;
• ii. providing at least one additive selected from the group consisting of pH adjustors, surfactants, defoamers, dispersants, rheology modifiers, biocides, preservatives, pigments and tinting compounds;
• iii. combining the precursors of steps (i)-(ii) using dedicated equipment to manufacture the aqueous coating composition;
• iv. minimizing the formation of biomass in the dedicated equipment that contacts the precursors or the aqueous coating composition;
• v. minimizing the volatile content of the materials used in or related to the manufacture of the aqueous coating composition, wherein said materials do not contact the precursors or the aqueous coating composition;
• vi. maintaining the aqueous coating composition has
• (a.) a total detected volatile emissions value of less than about 250 ppm as measured according to headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry at about 70° C.;
• and
• (b.) a Comparative Odor Intensity Index value of less than about 2.0, wherein the dedicated equipment manufactures no paint other than said aqueous coating composition.