California Plans to Cut VOC Emissions from Consumer Products

LA Testing provides volatile organic compound (VOC) testing services to protect the environment, people and to help manufacturers reduce emissions.

Garden Grove, CA

Recently the Air Resources Board (ARB) of the California Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to adopt regulations that will reduce air pollution from 11 categories of consumer products. According to a news release from the ARB, “The new regulations target volatile organic compounds and toxic air contaminants and when fully implemented will cut these emissions by about 7 tons per day, reduce airborne carcinogens, minimize potential greenhouse gas emissions and protect aquatic species from chemical runoff. The regulations will be fully effective December 31, 2013.”

The new regulations address the emissions from a wide range of consumer product categories including insecticides, general purpose cleaners and degreasers, glass cleaners, and oven and grill cleaners.

“The ARB is required to reduce volatile organic emissions from the widest possible range of sources in an effort to minimize the state’s ozone levels,” reported Ben Sublasky, National Director of Client Services for LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, a leading environmental testing laboratory. “VOCs mix with other air pollutants when exposed to sunlight to form ozone. Ozone is known to inflame the respiratory tract and cause coughing, chest tightness and aggravation of asthma symptoms. This poses a serious threat to sufferers of cardio-pulmonary disease. In addition, ozone can also substantially damage crops, forests and native plants.”

VOCs are also found in many indoor environments from the off-gassing of building materials and furnishing. In new construction, and in recently remodeled buildings, the new building materials, coatings and furnishing often release high levels of formaldehyde and other VOCs. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen.

To learn more about testing the indoor air quality (IAQ) or consumer products for VOCs and formaldehyde, or other environmental testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Ben Sublasky

National Director of Clients Services/Operations Manager

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail