Pesticides as Smog: New Regulations Coming in California to Reduce VOC Emissions from Pesticides

Beginning November 1, new regulations take effect in California to reduce smog-forming volatile organic compound emissions from pesticide applications.

The restrictions will apply to nonfumigant, high-VOC products containing abamectin, chlorpyrifos, gibberellins, or oxyfluorfen used in the San Joaquin Valley ozone nonattainment area. The regulations do not apply to low-VOC products for any active ingredients.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has information online to help people prepare. One is a web-based tool for calculating VOC emissions. Try it here.

Fact sheets and all the rules and regulations concerning VOC-emitting pesticides can be downloaded here.