VOC FAQs
Basic Definitions:
VOC – Volatile Organic Compound – any compound containing carbon.
HAP – Hazardous Air Pollutant – EPA designated 189 compounds to be “Hazardous Air
Pollutants”
Pollutants”
VHAP – Volatile Hazardous Air Pollutant – the compounds on the 189 List that will
volatilize. The 189 List contains heavy metals and toxic inorganic compounds
volatilize. The 189 List contains heavy metals and toxic inorganic compounds
NESHAP – Nation Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants – Federal limits for HAP
emissions – EPA Rules
emissions – EPA Rules
Where can I find the VOC limit in the regulations?
For Federal, VOC limits are found in the Air Regulations:
Click the EPA link get to the home page
Click “Laws & Regulations”
Under “Regulatory Information by Environmental Topic”, click “Air”
Click “Air and Radiation: Regulation and Statute” to find a list of all Air programs regulated by the EPA
For State Information:
Click on the State Environmental Agency link
Find the state of interest, this will bring you directly to that specific State Environmental Agency Homepage
Find key words such as Laws & Regulations or Air Programs to get to the regulations containing VOC regulatory information
Each state’s home page varies, the links to the Air regulations will be different
Try to find the Table of Contents for the Air regulations to help get you to the specific citation faster
Where can I find the VOC information on an MSDS?
Under Section 9: Physical & Chemical Properties, the VOC is listed in grams per liter
ITW TACC has calculated the amount of VOC in each finished product by EPA Method 24
and by Photochemically Reactive Only
EPA Method 24 is the required method of calculation for some specific State VOC limits,
the calculation subtracts out exempt compounds and water
Photochemically Reactive Only includes water and exempt compounds in the total volume
of the product, typically this number is less than EPA Method 24
If your state does not specifically require you to use EPA Method 24 calculation, use
Photochemically Reactive Only
and by Photochemically Reactive Only
EPA Method 24 is the required method of calculation for some specific State VOC limits,
the calculation subtracts out exempt compounds and water
Photochemically Reactive Only includes water and exempt compounds in the total volume
of the product, typically this number is less than EPA Method 24
If your state does not specifically require you to use EPA Method 24 calculation, use
Photochemically Reactive Only
regulatory information
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