California Air Resources Board

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) defines low vapor pressure volatile organic compounds (LVP-VOC) in the Regulation for Reducing Emissions from Consumer Products (title 17, California Code of Regulations, section 94508). For the purposes of the definition of LVP-VOC, chemical “compound” means a molecule of definite chemical formula and isomeric structure, and chemical “mixture” means a substance comprised of two or more chemical “compounds.” “LVP-VOC” means a chemical “compound” or “mixture” that contains at least one carbon atom and meets one of the following:

(A) has a vapor pressure less than 0.1 mm Hg at 20°C, as determined by CARB Method 310; or

(B) is a chemical “compound” with more than 12 carbon atoms, or a chemical “mixture” comprised solely of “compounds” with more than 12 carbon atoms, as verified by formulation data, and the vapor pressure and boiling point are unknown; or

(C) is a chemical “compound” with a boiling point greater than 216°C, as determined by CARB Method 310; or

(D) is the weight percent of a chemical “mixture” that boils above 216°C, as determined by CARB Method 310.

LVP-VOCs used in consumer products are not counted towards the total product VOC content for compliance purposes. This exemption was designed to prioritize reductions in VOC compounds that most readily participate in ozone formation. CARB conducted further research to better understand impacts of LVP-VOCs emitted from the use of consumer products on ozone and secondary organic aerosol formation, and their environmental fate. Research funded by the CARB is shown below. It reflects only the opinions and conclusions of the authors:

• Air Quality Impacts of LVP-VOCs
• Environmental Fate of LVP-VOCs from Consumer Products

For questions regarding these two research projects, contact Research Division Staff at (916) 445-0753.