Source: Xinhua
03-09-2009 14:38
Special Report: Tech MaxLOS ANGELES, March 6 (Xinhua) -- California's Air Quality Management District Board (AQMDB) on Friday approved stricter regulation of paint thinners and solvents in an effort to reduce the emission of smog-forming compounds.
 |
| Consumer products such as nail polish and floor wax emit more than 110 tons per day of volatile organic compounds in Southern California alone(File photo) |
The new regulations will limit the allowed emission of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, to 300 grams per liter as of Jan. 1, 2010, and then slash that down to 25 grams per liter a year later, the AQMDB said.
Consumer products such as nail polish and floor wax emit more than 110 tons per day of volatile organic compounds in Southern California alone -- more than cars, trucks or industry, according to the AQMDB.
"This is a victory for clean air and public health," said Luis Cabrales of the Coalition for Clean Air. "The move would reduce up to 9.85 tons per day of airborne chemicals released from these products, protecting the health of families and workers alike."
More than 1.2 million gallons of high-VOC paint thinners and solvents are sold in the South Coast Basin in California every year, according to the AQMDB.
Workers from minority populations with limited access to healthcare services are often the most at risk for exposure to the harmful emissions, research findings show.
-- Click for more news in Tech Max >>
Editor:Yang Jie
