Broad Strokes Reduce Chemicals in Paints

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Earlier this month, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) passed stricter rules for chemicals in home and architectural paints. When this takes effect in 2014, 4.4 tons per day of health-threatening, smog-forming emissions will be eliminated in the South Coast alone!

An update to the 1977 Rule 1113, this month’s decision further reduces toxic chemicals and smog-forming emissions from structural paints. Millions of workers and consumers use these paints every day, unknowingly exposing themselves to alkylphenol ethoxylates (hormone disruptors) and other toxic chemicals.

"This is the first time, and the only place in the country, that these chemicals have been banned from paints," said Luis Cabrales, CCA Deputy Director of Campaigns, while testifying before the AQMD governing board.

CCA will continue to work with the AQMD and our allies to make sure other local, state and national agencies emulate this new standard to protect workers and residents everywhere.

More on this issue: “Home Depot Sued by Calif. Counties over Paint VOC Levels”