FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does biodegradable mean?2. What is readily biodegradable?
3. What makes Smart Green biodegradable?
4. What is REACH?
5. What is CLP?
6. What is CHIP?
7. Can you remove graffiti from? (Types of Surfaces):
8. What is a poultice?
9. What’s nano coatings/technology?
10. Have coatings/technology been tested and trialled?
11. What is a permanent coating?
12. What is a sacrificial coating?
ANSWERS
1. What does biodegradable mean?
A product is biodegradable if it’s capable of being decomposed by biological agents, especially bacteria. This is the ability of a substance to be broken down by organisms (such as bacteria that live in the ground and surface water) in the event of an oil spill or leak. However, almost every substance is biodegradable to some extent.2. What is readily biodegradable?
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has developed test guidelines for determining biodegradability: OECD 301. A substance that is readily biodegradable has successfully passed an OECD screening test, showing that more than 60% has biodegraded over a 28 day period, when exposed to certain micro-organisms3. What Makes Smart Green Biodegradable?
Smart Green is biodegradable through the combination of the correct percentages of ingredients - which is enhanced even further if the wash-down water contains a low percentage of our neutraliser agent. 4. What is a REACH?REACH is a European Union regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals. It came into force on 1st June 2007 and replaced a number of European Directives and Regulations with a single system.
REACH applies to substances manufactured or imported into the EU in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year. Generally, it applies to all individual chemical substances on their own, in preparations or in articles (if the substance is intended to be released during normal and reasonably foreseeable conditions of use from an article). CLP or CLP Regulation is the new European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemical substances and mixtures. The legislation introduces a new system throughout the EU for classifying and labelling chemicals, based on the United Nations’ Globally Harmonised System (UN GHS).CLP is about the hazards of chemical substances and mixtures, and how to inform others about them. It is the responsibility of the industry to establish what the hazards of substances and mixtures are before these are placed on the market - and to classify them in line with identified hazards.
In case a substance or a mixture is hazardous, it has to be labelled so that workers and consumers know about its effects before they handle it. Note that “mixture” means the same as the term “preparation” which has been used so far.There are certain timelines for industry to classify and label their substances and mixtures in line with CLP rules. Also, industry must notify hazardous substances and mixtures to a central inventory.
↑ Back to top link ‘CHIP’ refers to the Chemicals (Hazard Information and packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009. These are also known as CHIP 4 because they represent the fourth time a consolidated version of the CHIP regulations has been enacted. Technical:7. Can you remove graffiti from:
- Paint - Yes
- Fences - Yes
- Glass - Yes
- Trees –Yes
- Marble - Yes
- Granite - Yes
- Stone - Yes
- Vehicles - Yes
- Decals - Yes
The solvent used depends on what substance caused the stain. As the solvent penetrates the surface of the stained stone, it forms a single continuous solution between the stone and the poultice on the surface. After an adequate time for the whole process to occur, the poultice is removed and with it the solution containing a portion of the dissolved solute or "stain." Multiple repetitions of the process will eventually decrease the concentration of the solute or "stain" within the stone until it is invisible or minimally visible.
↑ Back to top link9. What is a nano coatings/technology?
Nanotechnology, or more accurately nanotechnologies, describes the many ways that scientists can now work with the molecules and atoms that make up our world. We measure things in metres and centimetres, but nano scientists work in nanometers - that’s a billionth of a metre!Why does small make a difference
At this nanoscale ,things don’t always behave as they do when they are larger. They might be stronger or lighter, or more reactive. Or, because they are so small, they can be used in different ways than in their larger form.What scientists do with nanotechnologies is take control of these reactions to make new products or processes, from mobile phones to sunscreens, airplanes to medicines.
↑ Back to top link10. Have nano coatings/technology been tested/trialled?
There is much debate on the future implications of nanotechnology. It raises many of the same issues as any new technology, including concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials, and their potential effects on global economics - as well as speculation about various doomsday scenarios. These concerns have led to a debate among advocacy groups and Governments on whether special regulation of nanotechnology is warranted.Because most nanomaterials behave differently than they do in their larger form, we need to find out more about their safety when they are used in these new ways.
However, all nano materials are different and need to be tested separately. As with ordinary materials, some nanomaterials will be more harmful than others and some may be appropriate to be used in one context, but not in others. This is what scientists, Governments, and companies are wrestling with at the moment↑ Back to top link
11. What is a permanent coating?
These paints are normally polyurethane or terrethene based - and cure to a very hard permanent finish. Coatings can be clear or pigmented, matt or gloss.Some of the advantages :
• Very hard wearing and durable.
• Will last for up to ten years.
• Graffiti is easily removed by means of chemical agitation.
• Ideal for murals, tiled and all painted surfaces.
• Provides a protective barrier against corrosion and pollution.
12. What is a sacrificialcCoating?
These are clear, wax-type or silicone based compounds.Some of the advantages :
• Invisible, will not affect appearance of the substrate.
• Graffiti can be removed using chemicals or hot water.
• Environmentally friendly.
• Low odour for internal use.
• Ideal for porous surfaces.
• Allows surfaces to breath.