FAQS

• Why should I worry about air pollution?

  According to the World Health Organization, 3 million people are killed worldwide by outdoor air pollution every year. A study by the European Commission estimates that air pollution reduces the life expectancy of an EU citizen by almost nine months. And in a heavily polluted city like Metro Manila, 1 of every 8 premature deaths is caused by air pollution.

• What is NOx?

  NOx are highly reactive gases containing nitrogen and oxygen. It is mostly generated by vehicle emissions, and has serious health and environmental effects. It forms smog (ground level ozone) and small particulate matter that can cause respiratory problems; and also leads to acid rain.

• How does KNOxOUT clean the air?

  Boysen KNOxOUT contains photocatalytic titanium dioxide, (TiO2), which upon exposure to light, transforms ordinary water vapor to free radicals that break down NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the two components of smog. Harmful NOx gas is converted to nitric acid that is rapidly neutralized by alkaline calcium carbonate particle in the paint, producing harmless quantities of calcium nitrate and negligible amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water.

• Does it really work?

  The air cleaning technology used in KNOxOUT has been proven effective in a series of European trials in Milan, London and Paris. Photocatalytic coatings were applied in a tunnel, a school wall and an indoor carpark and all trials showed significant reductions in NOx.
  
  In the world’s largest air cleaning paint trial, KNOxOUT was tested on a major Metrorail station along the busiest highway in Metro Manila. Early results of the trials show that the KNOxOUT painted on the station and surrounding embankment is estimated to be taking out 1.3 METRIC TONS of NOx per year, making the Metrorail station the biggest air cleaning station in the world!

• Is KNOxOUT a low VOC environmentally friendly paint?

  KNOxOUT has low VOC levels that would meet most international ecolabelling standards for flat water-based paint. But more than that, it has the potential to actually achieve a net VOC reduction in its lifetime – i.e. it will break down more VOCs in the air when dry than the small amounts of VOCs it has when wet.
  
  While most ‘eco-friendly’ paints are focused on low VOC levels to minimize their environmental impact, KNOxOUT establishes a new paradigm for green paints – that of an eco-ACTive paint with Air Cleaning Technology that continuously works to reduce pollution and improve the environment.

• Do I need special equipment to apply it? How much KNOxOUT would I need to cover a wall?

  KNOxOUT is applied just like any ordinary water based paint – by brush, roller, or airless spray. You’ll need about 4 liters to cover an area of 25-30 square meters with one coat.

• What colors are KNOxOUT available in?

  KNOxOUT can be applied in white or pastel shades tinted with colorants based on inorganic pigments (yellow oxide, red oxide, black oxide, chrome oxide green, cobalt blue, etc.) Deep shades of KNOxOUT and use of colorants with organic pigments are not recommended.

• Will the KNOxOUT paint film get dirty from pollution?

  The same photocatalytic reaction that breaks down pollutants also makes it difficult for dirt to adhere to the paint film. It also makes the surface very hydrophilic, so these dirt particles can be washed away uniformly by rain.