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Southern California Air Quality Management District Adopts Rule to Substantially Reduce VOC Emissions From Paint Thinners and Consumer Products
The Agency's rule will significantly reduce VOC emissions from paints used indoors. This is the first rule in the U.S. intended to reduce smog-forming ingredients in consumer paint thinner, and will have substantial benefits for IAQ.
Here is the agency's own press release:
Agency is First in the Nation to Adopt a Rule That Reduces Smog-Forming Ingredients in Consumer Paint Thinners
Governing Board Members from the South Coast Air Quality Management District took a critical step today in adopting a rule that will significantly reduce smog-forming emissions from paint thinners and solvents used by consumers.
Consumer products, which include everything from nail polish to floor wax, emit more than 110 tons per day of smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the Southland. Consumer products are the largest source of VOCs in the region, eclipsing cars, trucks or industry.
“This rule, a first in the nation, is going to significantly benefit all of us who live and breathe in the greater Los Angeles Basin,” said AQMD Governing Board Chairman William A. Burke, Ed.D.
“In less than two years, the rule will have reduced VOC pollution by up to 9.75 tons per day. That is the equal to shutting down all seven major oil refineries in Los Angeles County!”
Consumers should not notice any difference in the performance of low-VOC paint thinners and solvents. Rule 1143 – Reduction of VOC Emissions from Consumer Paint Thinners and Multi-Purpose Solvents establishes an interim VOC limit of 300 grams/liter (g/l,) effective January 1, 2010, and a VOC limit of 25 g/l effective January 1, 2011, for all consumer paint thinners and multi-purpose solvents. It also establishes labeling requirements. Products manufactured prior to the effective date of Jan. 1, 2010 could be sold for one year thereafter.
This rule affects approximately 107 manufacturers and 12 distributors. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) generally has primary regulatory authority over consumer products but air pollution districts may regulate consumer products that CARB has not yet regulated such as those affected by today’s rule. The rule adoption is expected to assist CARB in adopting tougher regulations for additional categories of consumer products.