Paints (Traffic)
Info on this product category: Paints (Traffic)
Why Go Green
Avoid solvent-based (alkyd) paints because they can have:
- Cancer-causing chemicals (e.g., benzene, ethyl benzene, and methylene chloride).
- Toxic heavy metals (e.g., lead, chromium) that can end up in water supplies and expose workers.
They may only be needed for extremely low-temperature applications or by those without stainless steel-lined application equipment.
Try traffic paints on this page because they are waterborne (less-toxic) and have low volatile organic compounds (VOC) which emit fewer smog-producing compounds.
Criteria for Paints (Traffic)
Minimum Requirements for Waterborne Traffic- and Zone-Marking Paints:
- Meet the federal specification for waterborne traffic and airfield paints (TT-P-1952E).
- Have VOC content not exceed 100 g/l. This includes standard-dry, rapid-dry, and high-build traffic- and zone-marking products. All “SCAQMD-compliant” products meet this requirement.
- Be certified by either the Master Painters Institute (MPI) under its Green Performance Standard (GPS).
- Contain <50 g/l VOCs; are certified by MPI to meet GPS-1 or GPI-2; and/or are devoid of additional toxic chemicals of concern (e.g., other carcinogens or reproductive toxins such as phthalates, tert-butyl acetate, n-methyl pyrrolidone, and crystalline silica).
Additional Desirable Attributes for Waterborne:
- Traffic-Marking Paints: contain <50 g/l VOCs; are certified by MPI to meet GPS-1 or GPI-2; and/or are devoid of additional toxic chemicals of concern (e.g., other carcinogens or reproductive toxins such as phthalates, tert-butyl acetate, n-methyl pyrrolidone, and crystalline silica).
- Zone-marking paints: contain <50 g/l VOCs; are certified by MPI to meet GPS-2; and/or are devoid of other toxic chemicals of concern (e.g., other carcinogens or reproductive toxins).
Last updated
Last updated:
February 3, 2016
Guide for City Staff
Recycling Instructions
It's illegal to trash paints, chemicals, electronics, lighting, and metal. So do one of the following:
- Use what you already have.
- Give them to someone who needs them.
- Legally and safely dispose them. Post this recycling poster above each trash bin. Then get a pick up.