# Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Pesticides: Options for Reducing Non- Fumigant Emissions November 20112 

# 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 20143 

# 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

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013VOC emissions (tons/day)

Fumigant Non - fumigant SIP goal4 

# P esticide VOC emission inventory for San Joaquin Valley (UPDATED)

0 5 10 15 20 25

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010VOC Emissions (tons/day)

Fumigant Non-fumigant SIP goal Fumigant limit trigger5 

# 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 4% Methyl bromide 4% Glyphosate 3% Glufosinate 3% Dimethoate 2%

Fenpyroximate 2% Trifluralin 2% All other pesticides 34% 

## 2009 20106 

# 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 limit7 

# 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 impact9 

# 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 effect10 

# 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 compliance12 

# 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 products13 

# 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 regulations14 

# 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 products15 

# 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 trigger16 

# 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 products17 

# 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