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New regulations protect state from ozone and toxic chemicals. 

California to get cleaner consumer products

New regulations protect state from ozone and toxic chemicals

SACRAMENTO - Today the Air Resources Board adopted regulations
that will reduce air pollution from 11 categories of consumer
products including bug sprays and a variety of household and
professionally-used cleaners.

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.

“ARB works with manufacturers to assure their products are
effective but safe for the environment,” said ARB Chairman Mary
D. Nichols. “These regulations are an example of how ARB balances
public health with business interests.”
 
The new regulations address the emissions from a range of
consumer product categories including insecticides, general
purpose cleaners and degreasers, glass cleaners, and oven and
grill cleaners.

ARB estimates the reduction of air pollution to be the equivalent
of removing 500,000 vehicles from California’s roads.

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. The volatile organic compounds mix with
other air pollutants and ‘cook’ when exposed to sunlight to form
ozone. Ozone inflames the respiratory tract, causes coughing,
chest tightness and aggravation of asthma symptoms, and poses a
serious threat to sufferers of cardio-pulmonary disease. Ozone
can also substantially damage crops, forests and native plants.

ARB efforts to reduce ozone are required in order to comply with
federal clean-air standards. Missing compliance deadlines could
result in the loss of federal transportation funds and other
sanctions.

To date, ARB consumer-product regulations have eliminated 225
tons per day of volatile organic compound emissions compared to
1990 levels. Still, ARB estimates that emissions from consumer
products continue to produce 245 tons per day, about 12 percent
of the state’s total burden of these smog-forming compounds.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.