In 1992, several workers applying a “low- VOC” water based epoxy coating (which we supplied) were rushed to the hospital due to breathing difficulties. Several people living in the apartment complex called the landlord and complained about dizziness, coughing and other ailments. My customer was so appalled that a manufacturer could produce a material so dangerous that he threatened lawsuits. Common knowledge was that if a paint or coating was water based, it had to be safe… right? At that time, no one really knew better. That is when we decided to try to change our industry. After several months of searching, we found a company in San Diego, CA called American Formulating and Manufacturing that produced non and low-toxin paints and coatings for residential and commercial use. This was the beginning.