Volatile Organic Compound Emissions 

from Pesticides:

Options for Reducing 

Non-Fumigant Emissions

November 2011
2 

Background: 

State implementation plan

• As required by Clean Air Act, the state implementation 

plan (SIP) describes measures to reduce VOCs and 

NOx to achieve ozone standard

• SIP (pending EPA approval) requires DPR to

– Develop and maintain an emission inventory to track 

pesticide VOC emissions

– Reduce pesticide emissions by specified amounts during 

May-Oct peak ozone season – San Joaquin Valley pesticide 

emission limit of 18.1 tons/day

– Require low-emitting fumigation methods

– Implement restrictions on non-fumigant pesticides by 2014
3 

Pesticide VOC emission inventory 

(UPDATED)

Sacramento Metro

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Southeast Desert

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

South Coast

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Ventura

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

2004200520062007200820092010201120122013

VOC emissions (tons/day)

Fumigant Non-fumigant SIP goal
4 

Pesticide VOC emission inventory for 

San Joaquin Valley (UPDATED) 

0

5

10

15

20

25

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

VOC Emissions (tons/day)

Fumigant Non-fumigant

SIP goal

Fumigant limit 

trigger
5 

Top VOC pesticides for San 

Joaquin Valley (UPDATED)

Metam 11%

Chlorpyrifos 

9%

1,3-D 8%

Glyphosate 8%

Oxyfluorfen 

5%

Gibberellins 

5%

Abamectin 5%

Methyl 

bromide 4%

Dimethoate 4%

Glufosinate 

3%

Acrolein 2%

Fenpyroximate 

2%

Trifluralin 2%

All other 

pesticides 32%

Chlorpyrifos 

11%

Metam 10%

1,3-D 9%

Bifenthrin 6%

Abamectin 6%

Oxyfluorfen 

4%

Gibberellins 

Methyl 4%

bromide 4%

Glyphosate 3%

Glufosinate 

3%

Dimethoate 2%

Fenpyroximate 

2%

Trifluralin 2%

All other 

pesticides 34%

2009 2010
6 

Background: 

need for non-fumigant reductions

• SIP requirement – “DPR will implement restrictions to 

reduce VOC emissions from non-fumigant pesticides 

by 2014.” 

• Maintain San Joaquin Valley SIP emission limit goal 

(18.1 tons/day)

• Avoid fumigant limit
7 

Pesticides under consideration

• Evaluating restrictions for certain liquid products 

(emulsifiable concentrates)

– Chlorpyrifos products (e.g. Lorsban) 

– Oxyfluorfen products (e.g. Goal) 

• May include

– Abamectin products (e.g. Agri-Mek) 

– Gibberellins products (e.g. Gibgro) 
8 

DPR criteria for selecting pesticides

• Major non-fumigant contributors in SJV

• “Low-VOC” products available

• Use of low-VOC products likely ensures needed 

reductions and fumigant allowances not triggered

• Use of low-VOC products likely has lower agricultural 

impact
9 

Regulatory strategy 

• Establish VOC product emission limit based on current 

product with lowest emissions

– Percent VOC content (emission potential) limit, or

– “VOC emission rate” limit (VOC content x application rate) 

• Provide exceptions for situations where low-VOC 

products are not effective

– (NEW) May not be able to add exceptions after regulations in 

effect
10

Options for enforcing a product 

emission limit

• All options require regulations

• All options prohibit products exceeding emission limit, with 

exceptions

• Option 1: deny/cancel registrations

• Option 2: prohibit use

• Option 3: add restricted materials

• Option 4: change fumigant limit trigger (preferred)
11

Enforcing an emission limit: 

Option 4 – change fumigant limit trigger

• Replace/amend fumigant limit trigger with trigger prohibiting use 

of certain non-fumigant high-VOC products, with exceptions

• Annual emission inventory report used to determine if high-VOC 

prohibition is triggered, and which active ingredients are affected

– Example: Fall 2013 inventory report would use 2012 PUR to 

determine if high-VOC prohibition triggered for May-Oct 2014

• If triggered, requirements only in SJV, May-Oct

• 3 possible methods to ensure compliance
12

Enforcing an emission limit: 

Option 4a – “authorizations” for use

• If high-VOC prohibition triggered in SJV during May-Oct, use of 

high-VOC products would require an “authorization” issued by ag

commissioner

• Likely similar to permitting process, but no local evaluation or 

conditions (yes/no for authorization)

• Regulations would describe the situations for which an ag

commissioner could issue an authorization

• DPR would provide fact sheet that explains requirements and lists 

allowed exceptions to high-VOC prohibition

• No authorization required for low-VOC products
13

Enforcing an emission limit: 

Option 4b – dealer requirements 

• If high-VOC prohibition triggered in SJV during May-Oct, 

compliance through dealer sales requirement

• DPR would notify dealers of requirements and provide a form 

that explains allowed exceptions to high-VOC prohibition

• As a condition of sale, purchaser must read the form and certify 

that a high-VOC product is needed for an allowed use

• No requirements for sale of low-VOC products

• Similar to current clopyralid regulations
14

Enforcing an emission limit: 

Option 4c – PCA requirements (NEW) 

• If high-VOC prohibition triggered in SJV during May-Oct, 

compliance through pest control advisor (PCA) requirements

• DPR would notify PCAs and provide a fact sheet that explains 

requirements and lists allowed exceptions to high-VOC 

prohibition

• As a condition of use (or sale), grower must obtain a PCA 

recommendation for a high-VOC product

• No PCA requirements for low-VOC products
15

Summary of options for proposed 

regulations 

• List of active ingredients affected and product 

emission limits: chlorpyrifos, oxyfluorfen, others?

• Restrictions on products exceeding emission limit

– Prohibit affected high-VOC products in SJV, May-Oct

– Describe exceptions

• Exceptions due to efficacy for specific crops/pests

• Other exceptions? 

• Enforcement of restrictions on high-VOC products

– Registration requirements or sales/use requirements

– Possibly revise fumigant limit trigger
16

Next steps (REVISED) 

• Nov 2012 – Feb 2013: Prepare draft regulations

• Mar/Apr 2012: Notice proposed regulations for 

formal public comment

• Mar/Apr 2013: Regulations in effect

• May 2013: Earliest possible prohibition of high-VOC 

products
17

Additional information and comments

• DPR web site

– www.cdpr.ca.gov

– Click on “Air” under Quick Finder

– Click on “Volatile Organic Compound Emissions”

• Send comments on draft emission inventory report by January 2 to

– Rosemary Neal

– rneal@cdpr.ca.gov

• Send other comments to

– Randy Segawa

– 916-324-4137

– rsegawa@cdpr.ca.gov