Lower VOCs for Easier Breathing

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued final regulations in August to curb emissions of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, from household products. VOCs contribute significantly to the formation of ground-level ozone (smog) and indoor air pollution, both of which cause respiratory and other health problems. VOCs from such sources as cars, trucks, power plants and factories have been regulated by the Clean Air Act.

Now, EPA is focusing on consumer products for personal care, household cleaning and pest control, which, along with commercial products such as metal cleaning solvents, contribute about 30% annually of manmade VOC emissions nationwide. The EPA rule on household products is intended to produce a 20% reduction of VOCs from 1990 levels; manufacturers have three months in which to reformulate products.

[EPA fact sheet, 8/14/98]