Environmental benefits - Water-based adhesives are generally more eco - friendly being low in volatile organic compounds (VOC) content. All stages of the manufacturing and application process for hot melt and solvent-based adhesives release VOC's into the atmosphere. These atmospheric pollutants are linked to a number of serious health problems in people; as well as to the formation of ground-level ozone, which contributes to global warming. Also, water-based adhesives have comparatively low odour.