Industry associations jumped to their members’ defense when a study published last month in Science found that petroleum-based chemicals used in perfumes, paints and other consumer products can, when taken together, emit as much volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as motor vehicles. But the Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) notes that it has been working with regulators, NGOs, stakeholders and legislators including the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for more than 30 years on the issue of air quality and consumer products.


“The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is recognized as the nation’s preeminent air quality authority, whose science-based regulatory standards improve air quality and protect public health,” noted Dr. Steven Bennett, VP-scientific affairs, HCPA. “Since 1989, CARB has conducted numerous rulemaking procedures to continually revise California’s comprehensive and stringent consumer product regulations. In fact, CARB regulations cover more categories of consumer products and impose more rigorous VOC limits than the current EPA national regulation. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia have adopted regulations largely based on CARB’s stringent requirements.”


The American Cleaning Institute agreed. In a statement, ACI noted: “The fact is, in California—which is referenced in the study—regulators have placed limitations on the VOCs in most consumer products over the past three decades. Laundry and dishwashing products in particular have a minimal impact on VOC emissions overall through the selection of ingredients that biodegrade during wastewater treatment.”


Bennett noted that to develop these consumer product regulations, CARB gathers information on levels of VOCs and other chemicals used in formulations. This data forms the basis for CARB’s regulatory framework and helps determine how consumer product emissions can feasibly be reduced. CARB recently completed a three-year survey of more than 400 broad categories of consumer products that were sold in California during 2013-2015.


“HCPA looks forward to the release of that data, which will add tremendous value to the larger discussion around air quality,” added Bennett.


Before NGOs and other stakeholders rush to Sacramento demanding more regulations, they would be wise to wait for CARB to release the results of its survey. 


Tom Branna
Editorial Director
[email protected]