Along other concrete steps being taken by Qatar to ensure sustainable development, ongoing mega-structures like Metro and Qatar National Museum will be painted with environment-friendly, bacteria-resistant emulsions.
The move will not only reduce stress on the environment but also save people from harmful effects of chemicals. Hempel, the company producing this sustainable alternative paint, has already coated the walls of Hamad Medical City with this bacteria-resistant emulsion.
The Peninsula learnt this on the sidelines of “Qatar Green Building Conference” organised by Qatar Green Building Council which opened yesterday and will continue until November 19.
Jad Abou Fadel, Specifications and Business Development Manager at Hempel said that government organisations, following goals set in Qatar National Vision 2030, were adopting the latest hazard-free and bacteria-resistant emulsion “Topaz Zero” and the company had provided a complete coating to Hamad Medical City.
He said Ashghal (Public Works Authority) also intended to use the environment-friendly emulsion for independent schools and other government buildings. He said “Topaz Zero”, part of Hempel’s Purearth greener living range, had been designed to meet those needs.
He said the emulsion was VOC free. VOC (volatile organic compounds) are used in solvent-borne and conventional waterborne paint in different concentrations. They can contribute to health risk when inhaled like causing eye, skin, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, dizziness, breathing difficulties, asthma attack. They also contribute to poor outdoor and indoor air quality further contributing to global warming.
The representative of the company said that “Topaz Zero” emulsions with their environmental credentials and superior washability had offered the perfect solution to Hamad Medical City’s walls.
He said the emulsion was also bacteria-resistant and had been designed in a way that its waterborne top coat had the power to prevent growth of harmful bacteria and mould.
