(Adopted: 04/07/89; Amended: 02/01/91; Amended: 02/01/91; 

Amended: 07/19/91; Amended: 08/02/91; Amended: 12/04/92; 

Amended: 12/10/93; Amended: 04/11/97; Amended: 01/19/10; 

Amended: 09/20/11)

AVAQMD Rule 1168 1168-1

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

Rule 1168 

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(A) General 

(1) The purpose of this rule is to reduce emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds 

(VOCs) and to eliminate emissions of chloroform, ethylene dichloride, methylene 

chloride, perchlorethylene, and trichlorethylene from the application of 

Adhesives, Adhesive Primers, Sealants, Sealant Primers or any other Primers. 

(2) This rule shall apply to all commercial and industrial sales and applications of 

Adhesives, Adhesive Primers, Sealants, Sealant Primers, or any other Primers, 

unless otherwise specifically exempted by this rule. 

(B) Definitions 

For the purpose of this rule, the following definitions shall apply: 

(1) Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) - A Plastic made by reacting monomers of 

acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene and is normally identified with an ABS 

marking. 

(2) Adhesive - Any substance that is used to bond one surface to another surface by 

attachment. Adhesives include, Adhesive Bonding Primers, Adhesive Primers, 

Adhesive Primers for Plastics and any other Primer used with Adhesives. 

(3) Adhesive Bonding Primer - An Adhesive applied to a surface to improve the bond 

of subsequent Adhesives and sometimes to inhibit corrosion. 

(4) Adhesive Primer - A coating applied to a substrate, prior to the application of an 

Adhesive, to provide a bonding surface. 

(5) Adhesive Primer for Plastic - A material applied to a Plastic substrate alone or 

before applying an Adhesive in order to obtain better adhesion. 

(6) Adhesive Solid - The nonvolatile portion of an Adhesive that remains after 

heating a sample of the material at 110oC for one hour. 

(7) Aerosol Adhesive - Any Adhesive packaged as an aerosol product in which the 

spray mechanism is permanently housed in a non-refillable can designed for 

hand-held application without the need for ancillary hoses or spray equipment. 

Aerosol Adhesives include special purpose spray Adhesives, mist spray 
1168-2 AVAQMD Rule 1168 

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

Adhesives, and web spray Adhesives as defined by 17 Cal. Code Regs. §§94507 

et seq. 

(8) Aerosol Spray Can - A hand held, pressurized, non-refillable container which 

expels Adhesives from the container in a finely divided spray when a valve on the 

container is depressed. 

(9) Aerospace Component - The fabricated part, assembly of parts, or completed unit 

of any Aircraft or Space Vehicle (excluding tires), and includes models, mockups, prototypes, and test coupons. 

(10) Aircraft - Any machine designed to travel through the air, without leaving the 

Earth's atmosphere, whether heavier or lighter than air, including airplanes, 

balloons, dirigibles, helicopters, and missiles. 

(11) Aircraft Tire Repair - The repair and retreading of used tires used on Aircraft. 

This includes the repair of damage to the tire casing, removal of old tread Rubber 

and tread reinforcing materials, and application of new tread and tread reinforcing 

materials. 

(12) Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) - The person appointed to the position of 

Air Pollution Control Officer of the District pursuant to the provisions of 

California Health & Safety Code §40750 and his or her designee. 

(13) Architectural - Pertaining to stationary structures including buildings, houses, and 

mobile homes, and their appurtenances. 

(14) Architectural Application - The use of an Adhesive, Sealant, Adhesive Primer, or 

Sealant Primer on stationary structures, including mobile homes, and their 

appurtenances. Appurtenances to an Architectural structure include, but are not 

limited to: hand railings, cabinets, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, fences, rain 

gutters and downspouts and windows. 

(15) Architectural Sealant or Sealant Primer - Any Sealant or Sealant Primer applied to 

stationary structures, including mobile homes, and their appurtenances. 

Appurtenances to an Architectural structure include, but are not limited to: hand 

railings, cabinets, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, fences, rain gutters and 

downspouts and windows. 

(16) California Air Resources Board (CARB) - The California State Air Resources 

Board the powers and duties of which are described in Part 2 of Division 26 of the 

California Health & Safety Code (commencing with §39500). 

(17) Carpet Pad Adhesive - An Adhesive used for the installation of carpet pad (or 

cushion) beneath a carpet. 

(18) Ceramic Tile Adhesive - An Adhesive used in the installation of Ceramic Tile 

products. 
AVAQMD Rule 1168 1168-3

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(19) Ceramic Tiles - A ceramic surfacing unit made from clay or a mixture of clay and 

other materials. 

(20) Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) - Plastic which is a polymer of the 

chlorinated polyvinyl monomer that contains 67 percent chlorine and is normally 

identified with a CPVC marking. 

(21) Coating Solid - The nonvolatile portion of a coating that remains after heating a 

sample of the material at 110oC for one hour. 

(22) Computer Diskette Manufacturing - The process where the fold-over flaps are 

glued to the body of a vinyl jacket. 

(23) Contact Adhesive - An Adhesive applied to two (2) separate surfaces, allowed to 

dry, and brought together for adhesion and bonding with subsequent pressure. 

(24) Cove Base Installation Adhesive - An Adhesive used during the installation of 

cove base (or wall base), which is generally made of vinyl or Rubber, on a wall or 

vertical surface at floor level.

(25) Cyanoacrylate Adhesive - A single-component Reactive Diluent Adhesive that 

contains at least 85 percent by weight ethyl, methyl, methoxymethyl or other 

functional groupings of cyanoacrylate. 

(26) District - The Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District the geographical 

area of which is described in District Rule 103. 

(27) Drywall Adhesive - An Adhesive used during the installation of gypsum dry wall 

to studs or solid surfaces. 

(28) Exempt Compounds - A compound identified as exempt in 40 CFR 51.100(s). 

(29) Facility - Any permit unit or grouping of permit units or other air contaminantemitting activities which are located on one or more contiguous properties within 

the District, in actual physical contact or separated solely by a public roadway or 

other public right-of-way, and are owned or operated by the same Person (or by 

Persons under common control). Such above-described groupings, if not 

contiguous, but connected only by land carrying a pipeline, shall not be 

considered one Facility. 

(30) Fiberglass - Fine filaments of glass. 

(31) Flexible Vinyl - Non-rigid polyvinyl chloride Plastic with a five (5) percent by 

weight plasticizer content. 

(32) Floor Covering Installation Adhesive (Indoor) - Any Adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer for use in the installation of vinyl backed carpet, resilient sheet and 

roll or artificial grass. Adhesives used to install ceramic tile, perimeter bonded 

Sheet Vinyl, Flexible Vinyl, indoor carpet, Rubber Floor, Subfloor. VCT and 

Asphalt Tile and wood flooring are excluded from this category. 
1168-4 AVAQMD Rule 1168 

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(33) Floor Covering Installation Adhesive (Outdoor) - Any Adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer for use in the installation of floor covering that is not in an 

enclosure and that is exposed to ambient weather conditions during normal use. 

Outdoor Carpet is excluded from this category. 

(34) Foam - A rigid or spongy cellular mass with gas bubbles dispersed throughout. 

(35) Glue - A hard gelatin obtained from hides, tendons, cartilage, bones, etc., of 

animals. 

(36) Grams of VOC Per Liter of Adhesive, Less Water and Less Exempt Compounds - 

The weight of VOC per combined volume of VOC and Adhesive or Sealant 

solids, and can be calculated by the following equation: 

m w es

s w es

V V V

W W W

LessWater and Less ExemptCompounds

Grams of VOC per Liter of Adhesive

− −

− −

=

,

Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds, in grams 

 Ww = weight of water, in grams 

 Wes = weight of exempt compounds, in grams 

 Vm = volume of material, in liters 

 Vw = volume of water, in liters 

 Ves = volume of exempt compounds, in liters 

For Adhesives or Sealants that contain Reactive Diluents, the VOC content of the 

Adhesive or Sealant is determined after curing. The grams of VOC per liter of 

Adhesive or Sealant (except a Low-Solids Adhesive or Sealant) shall be 

calculated by the following equation: 

rm rw res

rs rw res

V V V

W W W

LessWater and Less ExemptCompunds

Grams of VOC per Liter of Adhesive

− −

− −

=

,

Where: Wrs = weight of volatile compounds not consumed during 

curing, in grams 

 Wrw = weight of water not consumed during curing, in 

grams 

 Wres = weight of exempt compounds not consumed during 

curing, in grams 

 Vrm = volume of material prior to reaction, in liters 

 Vrw = volume of water not consumed during curing, in 

liters 

 Vres = volume of exempt compounds not consumed during 

curing, in liters 
AVAQMD Rule 1168 1168-5

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(37) Grams of VOC Per Liter of Material - The weight of VOC per volume of material 

calculated by the following equation: 

m

s w es

V

W W W

Grams of VOC per Liter of Material − −=

Where: Ws = weight of volatile compounds, in grams 

 Ww = weight of water, in grams 

 Wes = weight of exempt compounds, in grams 

 Vm = volume of material, in liters 

(38) Hand Application Methods - The application of Adhesive or Sealant by manually 

held equipment. Such equipment includes paint brush, hand roller, trowel, 

spatula, dauber, rag, sponges, and mechanically- and/or pneumatic-driven 

syringes without atomization of the materials. 

(39) High-Volume, Low-Pressure (HVLP) Spray - Spray equipment permanently 

labeled as such and which is designed and operated between 0.1 and 10 pounds 

per square inch, gauge (psig) air atomizing pressure measured dynamically at the 

center of the air cap and at the air horns.

(40) Indoor Carpet Adhesive - An Adhesive used during the installation of a carpet 

that is in an enclosure and is not exposed to ambient weather conditions during 

normal use. 

(41) Light Curable Adhesives and Sealants - Single-component reactive Adhesives and 

Sealants that cure upon exposure to visible-light, ultra-violet light, or to an 

electron beam. 

(42) Low-Solids Adhesive - An Adhesive which has less than one (1) pound (120 

grams) of solids per gallon of material. 

(43) Low-Solids Adhesive Primer - An Adhesive Primer which has less than one (1) 

pound (120 grams) of solids per gallon of material.

(44) Marine Deck Sealant - A Sealant intended by the manufacturer to be applied to 

wooden marine decks. 

(45) Marine Deck Sealant Primer - Any Sealant Primer intended by the manufacturer 

to be applied to wooden marine decks. 

(46) Metal to Urethane/Rubber Molding or Casting Adhesive - Any Adhesive intended 

by the manufacturer to bond metal to high density or elastomeric urethane or 

molded Rubber materials, in heater molding or casting processes, to fabricate 

products such as rollers for computer printers or other paper handling equipment. 

(47) Modified Bituminous Materials - Materials obtained from natural deposits of 

asphalt or residues from the distillation of crude oil petroleum or coal which 
1168-6 AVAQMD Rule 1168 

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

consist mainly of hydrocarbons, and include, but are not limited to, asphalt, tar, 

pitch and asphalt tile that are soluble in carbon disulfide. 

(48) Modified Bituminous Sealant Primer - Primer consisting of bituminous materials 

and a high flash solvent used to prepare a surface by (1) improving the adhesion 

and (2) absorbing dust from the surface for Adhesive or flashing cement bitumen 

membrane. 

(49) Motor Vehicle Adhesive - An Adhesive, including glass bonding Adhesive, used 

at a Facility that is not an automobile or light-duty truck assembly coating 

Facility, applied for the purpose of bonding two (2) vehicle surfaces together 

without regard for the substrates involved. 

(50) Motor Vehicle Glass Bonding Adhesive Primer - A Primer, used at a Facility that 

is not an automobile or light-duty truck assembly coating Facility, applied to 

windshield or other glass, or to body openings, to prepare the glass or body 

opening for the application of glass bonding Adhesives or the installation of 

Adhesive bonded glass. Motor vehicle glass bonding Primer includes glass 

bonding/cleaning Primers that perform both functions (cleaning and priming of 

the windshield or other glass, or body openings) prior to the application of the 

Adhesive or the installation of Adhesive bonded glass. 

(51) Motor Vehicle Weatherstrip Adhesive - An Adhesive, used at a Facility that is not 

an automobile or light-duty truck assembly coating Facility, applied to 

weatherstripping materials for the purpose of bonding the weatherstrip material to 

the surface of the vehicle. 

(52) Multipurpose Construction Adhesive - Any Adhesive to be used for the 

installation or repair of various construction materials, including but not limited 

to: Drywall, Subfloor, Panel, Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP), ceiling tile and 

acoustical tile. 

(53) Nonmembrane Roof Sealant - Any Sealant to be used for installation or repair of 

nonmembrane roofs. This category includes Plastic or asphalt roof cement, 

asphalt roof coatings, and cold application cement. 

(54) Orthotics and Prosthetics - Medical devices designed and fabricated to address 

human neuromuscular and structural skeletal problems in order to activate, 

supplement, or replace weakened, atrophied or missing limbs. 

(55) Outdoor Carpet Adhesive - An Adhesive used during the installation of carpet that 

is not in an enclosure and is exposed to ambient weather conditions during normal 

use. 

(56) Panel Adhesive - An Adhesive used for the installation of plywood, pre-decorated 

hardboard (or tileboard), Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), and similar predecorated or non-decorated panels to studs or solid surfaces. 
AVAQMD Rule 1168 1168-7

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(57) Percent VOC by Weight - The ratio of the weight of the VOC to the weight of the 

material, expressed as a percentage of VOC by weight. The percent VOC by 

weight can be calculated as follows: 

= ×100

W

W

Percent VOCbyWeight v

Where: Wv = weight of the VOCs, in grams 

 W = weight of material in grams 

(58) Perimeter Bonded Sheet Flooring Installation - Installation of sheet flooring with 

vinyl backing onto a nonporous substrate using an adhesive designed to be 

applied only to a strip of up to four (4) inches wide around the perimeter of the 

sheet flooring. 

(59) Person - Any individual, firm, association, organization, partnership, business, 

trust, corporation, company, contractor, supplier, installer, user or owner, or any 

state or local governmental agency or public district or any other officer or 

employee thereof. Person also means the United States or its agencies to the 

extent authorized by federal law. 

(60) Plastic Foam - Foam constructed of Plastics. 

(61) Plastics - Synthetic materials chemically formed by the polymerization of organic 

(carbon-based) substances. Plastics are usually compounded with modifiers, 

extenders, and/or reinforcers. They are used to produce pipe, solid sheet, film, or 

bulk products.

(62) Plastic Solvent Welding Adhesive - The use of Adhesives made of resins and 

solvents which are used to dissolve the surfaces of Plastic, except ABS, CPVC, 

and PVC Plastic, to form a bond between mating surfaces. 

(63) Plastic Solvent Welding Adhesive (ABS) - An Adhesive that is intended by the 

manufacturer to weld ABS plastic. 

(64) Plastic Solvent Welding Adhesive (CPVC) - An Adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer for welding of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride plastic, and labeled as 

such. 

(65) Plastic Solvent Welding Adhesive Primer - Any Primer intended by the 

manufacturer for use to prepare Plastic substrates prior to bonding or welding. 

(66) Plastic Solvent Welding Adhesive (PVC) - An Adhesive intended by the 

manufacturer for use in the welding of Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic pipe. 

(67) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) - Plastic which is a polymer of the chlorinated vinyl 

monomer that contains 57 percent chlorine and is normally identified with a PVC 

marking. 
1168-8 AVAQMD Rule 1168 

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(68) Porous Material - A substance which has tiny openings, often microscopic, in 

which fluids may be absorbed or discharged. 

(69) Primer - A material applied to a substrate to improve adhesion of subsequently 

applied Adhesive. 

(70) Reactive Diluent - A liquid which is a VOC during application and one in which, 

through chemical and/or physical reactions, such as polymerization, 20 percent or 

more of the VOC becomes an integral part of a finished material. 

(71) Reinforced Plastic Composite - Composite material consisting of Plastic 

reinforced with fibers. 

(72) Roadway Sealant - Any Sealant to be applied to public streets, highways, and 

other surfaces, including but not limited to curbs, berms, driveways, and parking 

lots. 

(73) Roll Coater - A series of mechanical rollers that form a thin coating or Adhesive 

film on the surface roller, which is applied to a substrate by moving the substrate 

underneath the roller. 

(74) Rubber - Any natural or manmade Rubber substrate, including but not limited to, 

styrene-butadiene Rubber, polychloroprene (neoprene), butyl Rubber, nitrile 

Rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer. 

(75) Rubber Floor Adhesive - The installation of flooring material in which both the 

back and the top surface are made of synthetic Rubber, and which may be in sheet 

or tile form. 

(76) Sealant - Any material with Adhesive properties that is formulated primarily to 

fill, seal, or waterproof gaps or joints between two (2) surfaces. Sealants include 

Sealant Primers and caulks. 

(77) Sealant Primer - Any product applied to a substrate, prior to the application of a 

Sealant, to enhance the bonding surface. 

(78) Sheet Rubber Lining Installation Adhesive - The hand application of sheet Rubber 

lining to metal or Plastic substrates in order to protect the underlying substrate 

from corrosion or abrasion. These operations also include laminating sheet 

Rubber to fabric. 

(79) Shoe Repair, Luggage and Handbag Adhesive - An Adhesive used to repair worn, 

torn or otherwise damaged uppers, soles, and heels of shoes, or for making repairs 

to luggage and handbags. 

(80) Single-Ply Roof Membrane Adhesive Primer - Any Primer labeled for use to 

clean and promote adhesion of the single-ply roof membrane seams or splices 

prior to bonding. 
AVAQMD Rule 1168 1168-9

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(81) Single-Ply Roof Membrane Installation/Repair Adhesive - Any Adhesive Sealant 

to be used for the installation or repair of single-ply roof membrane. Installation 

includes, but is not limited to attaching the edge of the membrane to the edge of 

the roof and applying flashings to vents, pipes, or ducts that protrude through the 

membrane. 

(82) Single-Ply Roof Membrane Sealant - Any Sealant to be used for the installation or 

repair of single-ply roof membrane to the edge of the roof and applying flashings 

to vents, pipes, or ducts that protrude through the membrane. 

(83) Solvent Welding - The softening of the surfaces of two substrates by wetting them 

with solvents and/or Adhesives, and joining them together with a chemical and/or 

physical reaction(s) to form a fused union. 

(84) South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) - The air quality 

district created pursuant to Division 26, Part 3, Chapter 5.5 of the California 

Health & Safety Code (commencing with §40400). 

(85) Space Vehicle - A vehicle designed to travel beyond Earth's atmosphere. 

(86) Special Purpose Contact Adhesive - A Contact Adhesive that is used to bond all 

of the following substrates to any surface: melamine covered board, metal, 

unsupported vinyl, Teflon, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, Rubber and 

wood veneer 1/16 inch or less in thickness. 

(87) Structural Glazing Adhesive - Any Adhesive to be used to adhere glass, ceramic, 

metal, stone, or composite panels to exterior building frames. 

(88) Structural Wood Member Adhesive - An Adhesive used for the construction of 

any load bearing joints in wooden joists, trusses, or beams. 

(89) Subfloor Adhesive - An Adhesive used in the installation of subflooring material 

over floor joists. 

(90) Thin Metal Laminating Adhesive - A process of bonding multiple layers of metal 

to metal or metal to Plastic in the production of electronic or magnetic 

components in which the thickness of the bond line(s) is less than 0.25 mil.

(91) Tire Repair Adhesive - The expanding of a hole, tear, fissure, or blemish in a tire 

casing by grinding or gouging, applying Adhesive, and filling the hole or crevice 

with Rubber. 

(92) Tire Retread Adhesive - Any Adhesive to be applied to the back of pre-cured 

tread Rubber and to the casing and cushion Rubber, or to be used to seal buffed 

tire casings to prevent oxidation while the tire is being prepared for a new tread. 

(93) Top and Trim Adhesive - An Adhesive used during the installation of automotive 

and marine trim, including, but not limited to, headliners, vinyl tops, vinyl trim, 

sunroofs, dash covering, door covering, floor covering, panel covering and 

upholstery. 
1168-10 AVAQMD Rule 1168 

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(94) Traffic Marking Tape - Preformed reflective tape to be applied to public streets, 

highways, and other surfaces, including but not limited to curbs, berms, 

driveways, and parking lots. 

(95) Traffic Marking Tape Adhesive Primer - Any Adhesive Primer intended by the 

manufacturer to be applied to surfaces prior to installation of Traffic Marking 

Tape. 

(96) Transfer Efficiency - The ratio of the weight or volume of Coating Solids 

adhering to an object to the total weight or volume, respectively, of Coating 

Solids used in the application process, expressed as a percentage. 

(97) United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) - The United States 

Environmental Protection Agency, the Administrator of the USEPA and his or her 

authorized representative. 

(98) Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) and Asphalt Tile Adhesive - An Adhesive 

intended by the manufacturer for the installation of vinyl composite tile or asphalt 

tile flooring made from thermoplastic resins, fillers and pigments. 

(99) Viscosity - The internal friction of a liquid that makes it resistant to flow. 

(100) Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) - Any compound of carbon, excluding carbon 

monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and 

ammonium carbonate, which participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions 

and those compounds listed in 40 CFR 51.100(s). 

(101) Waterproof Resorcinol Glue - A two-part resorcinol-resin-based Adhesive 

designed for applications where the bond line must be resistant to continuous 

immersion in fresh or salt water. 

(102) Wood Flooring Adhesive - An Adhesive used to install a wood floor surface, 

which may be in the form of Parquet tiles, Planks, or strip-wood. 

(103) Wood Parquet Flooring - Wood flooring in tile form constructed of smaller pieces 

of wood which are joined together in a pattern by the maker to form the tile. 

(104) Wood Plank Flooring - Solid or laminated wood in plank form. 

(C) Requirements 

(1) After January 1, 1993, a Person shall not apply any Adhesives, Sealants, Adhesive 

Bonding Primers, Adhesive Primers, Sealant Primers, or any other Primer which 

have a VOC content in excess of 250 g/L less water and less Exempt Compounds 

unless otherwise specified in subsection (C)(2). 

(2) After September 20, 2011, a Person shall not apply Adhesives, Adhesive Primers, 

Sealants, Sealant Primers, or any other Primer which have a VOC content in 

excess of the limits specified in Table 1: 
AVAQMD Rule 1168 1168-11

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

Table 1

VOC Emission Limit Less Water and 

Less Exempt Compounds 

General Adhesive Application Processes* 

Proposed Limits 

in g/L 

Proposed Limits 

in lb/gal 

Fiberglass 80 0.7 

Flexible Vinyl 250 2.1 

Floor Covering Installation (Indoor) 150 1.3 

Floor Covering Installation (Outdoor) 250 2.1 

Metal 30 0.3 

Plastic Foams 50 0.4 

Porous Material (Except Wood) 50 0.4 

Reinforced Plastic Composite 200 1.7 

Rubber 250 2.1 

Wood 30 0.3 

Other Substrates 250 2.1 

 

Specialty Adhesive Application Processes 

Carpet Pad 50 0.4 

Ceramic Tile Installation 65 0.5 

Computer Diskette Manufacturing 350 2.9 

Contact Adhesive 80 0.7 

Cove Base Installation 50 0.4 

Drywall and Panel 50 0.4 

Indoor Carpet 50 0.4 

Metal to Urethane/Rubber Molding or Casting 850 7.1 

Motor Vehicle 250 2.1 

Motor Vehicle Weatherstrip 750 6.3 

Multipurpose Construction 70 0.6 

Outdoor Carpet 150 1.3 

Perimeter Bonded Sheet Vinyl 660 5.5 

Plastic Solvent Welding (except ABS, CPVC, and PVC) 250 2.1 

Plastic Solvent Welding (ABS) 325 2.7 

Plastic Solvent Welding (CPVC) 490 4.1 

Plastic Solvent Welding (PVC) 510 4.3 

Rubber Floor 60 0.5 

Sheet Rubber Lining Installation 850 7.1 

Single-Ply Roof Membrane Installation/Repair 250 2.1 

Special Purpose Contact Adhesive 250 2.1 

Structural Glazing 100 0.8 

Structural Wood Member 140 1.7 

Subfloor 50 0.4 

Thin Metal Laminating 780 6.5 

Tire Repair/Retread 100 0.8 

Top and Trim 250 2.1 

VCT and Asphalt Tile 50 0.4 

Waterproof Resorcinol Glue 170 1.4 

Wood Flooring 100 0.8 
1168-12 AVAQMD Rule 1168 

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

Adhesive Primer Application Processes 

Motor Vehicle Glass Bonding 900 7.5 

Plastic Solvent Welding 550 4.6 

Single-Ply Membrane 250 2.1 

Traffic Marking Tape 150 1.3 

Other Adhesive Primer 250 2.1 

 

Sealant Primers 

Architectural - Non Porous 250 2.1 

Architectural - Porous 775 6.5 

Modified Bituminous 500 4.2 

Marine Deck 760 6.3 

Other Sealant Primer 750 6.3 

 

Sealants 

Architectural 250 2.1 

Marine Deck 760 6.3 

Nonmembrane Roof 300 2.5 

Roadway 250 2.1 

Single-Ply Roof Membrane 450 3.8 

Other Sealant 420 3.5 

 

 

*General adhesive application processes are those not specifically identified in other categories listed 

below. 

If an Adhesive is used to bond dissimilar substrates together the Adhesive with the highest 

VOC content shall be allowed. 

(3) Containers used to dispose of VOC-laden cloth or paper used in stripping cured 

Adhesives or Sealants shall be closed except when depositing or removing VOCladen cloth or paper from the container. 

(4) Solvent Cleaning Operations: Storage and disposal of VOC-containing materials 

shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of District Rule 1171 - 

Solvent Cleaning Operations. 

(5) Transfer Efficiency 

A Person shall not apply Adhesives or Sealants unless the Adhesive or Sealant is 

applied with properly operating equipment in accordance with operating 

procedures specified by either the equipment manufacturer or the APCO. 

Application of Adhesives shall be accomplished only by the use of one (1) of the 

following methods: 

(a) Electrostatic application; 

(b) Flow coat; 

(c) Dip coat; 
AVAQMD Rule 1168 1168-13

Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(d) Roll Coater; 

(e) HVLP spray; 

(f) Hand Application Methods; 

(g) Such other Adhesive application methods as are demonstrated to the 

APCO Officer to be capable of achieving no less efficiency than HVLP 

method and for which prior written approval of the APCO has been 

obtained; or

(h) For Adhesives with a Viscosity of 200 centipoise or greater, as applied, 

airless spray, air-assisted airless spray, and air-atomized spray may also be 

used. 

(6) A Person may comply with the provisions of subsections (C)(1), (C)(2), or (C)(5), 

or all three, by using approved air pollution control equipment, provided that the 

VOC emissions from such operations and/or materials are reduced by 85 percent 

overall, by weight.

(7) A Person may comply with the provisions of subsection (C)(1) and subsection 

(C)(2) by means of an Alternative Emission Control Plan pursuant to District Rule 

108 - Alternative Emission Control Plans. 

(8) If anywhere on the container of any Adhesive or Sealant, on any sticker or label 

affixed thereto, or in any sales or advertising literature, any representation is made 

that the Adhesive or Sealant may be used for any other source specific rule 

application, for which there is a lower VOC standard, the lowest VOC standard 

shall apply. 

(9) The VOC content of Adhesives and Sealants that are applied with the use of 

refillable pressurized containers are subject to the VOC limits of this rule. 

(D) Recordkeeping Requirements 

Notwithstanding provisions of Section (I), records shall be maintained pursuant to 

District Rule 109 – Recordkeeping for Volatile Organic Compound Emissions. 

(E) Methods of Analysis 

(1) The VOC content of cleaning materials and Adhesives or Sealants shall be 

determined by using USEPA Reference Method 24 (Determination of Volatile 

Matter Content, Water Content, Density Volume Solids, and Weight Solids of 

Surface Coating, 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix A, utilizing Procedure B of ASTM 

Method D2369), or the SCAQMD Method 304. 

(2) The Exempt Compound’s content shall be determined by Methods 302 and 303 in 

SCAQMD’s “Laboratory Methods of Analysis for Enforcement Samples” or 

ASTM Method D4475-85. 
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Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(3) The VOC content of PVC, CPVC, and ABS pipe cements, Adhesive Primer for 

Plastic shall be determined by Method 316A in SCAQMD’s “Laboratory Method 

of Analysis for Enforcement Samples.” 

(4) The VOC content of cyanoacrylate Adhesives shall be determined by Method 

316B in SCAQMD’s “Laboratory Methods of Analysis for Enforcement 

Samples.” 

(F) Test Methods 

(1) The efficiency of the control device and the VOC content measured and 

calculated as carbon in the control device exhaust gases shall be determined by 

USEPA’s Test Method 18, or CARB Method 422 for the determination of 

emissions of Exempt Compounds and USEPA’s Test Methods 25, 25A; or 

SCAQMD’s Method 25.1 or Method 25.3 (Determination of Total Gaseous NonMethane Organic Emissions as Carbon) for the determination of total organic 

compound emissions. Emissions determined to exceed any limits established by 

this rule through the use of any of the above-referenced test methods shall 

constitute a violation of the rule. 

(2) Viscosity will be determined by ASTM D 1084-88.

(3) The following classes of compounds: cyclic, branched, or linear, completely 

fluorinated alkanes; cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated ethers with 

no unsaturations; cyclic, branched, or linear, completely fluorinated tertiary 

amines with no unsaturations; and sulfur-containing perfluorocarbons with no 

unsaturations and with sulfur bonds only to carbon and fluorine, will be analyzed 

as Exempt Compounds for compliance with Section (C), only at such time as 

manufacturers specify which individual compounds are used in the coating 

formulations and identify the test methods, which, prior to such analysis, have 

been approved by the USEPA, that can be used to quantify the amounts of each 

Exempt Compound. 

(G) Prohibition of Specifications 

(1) A Person shall not solicit or require any other Person to use, in the District, any 

Adhesives, Sealants or combination of Adhesives or Sealants in violation of the 

requirements of this rule. 

(2) The requirements of this Section shall apply to all written or oral agreements 

executed or entered into after July 1, 1989. 

(H) Prohibition of Sales and Use 

(1) On and after September 20, 2011, except as provided in Section (J), or subsection 

(3) below, no Person shall use, supply, sell, or offer for sale an Adhesive, Sealant, 

or Adhesive or Sealant Primer for use in the District that at the time of sale 

exceeds the applicable VOC limits specified in subsections (C)(1) and (C)(2). 
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Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(2) On and after September 20, 2011, except as provided in subsection (3) below, no 

Person shall use, supply, sell, or offer for sale an Adhesive, Sealant, or Adhesive 

or Sealant Primer for use in the District that contains chloroform, ethylene 

dichloride, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, or trichloroethylene. 

(3) The prohibition of sales and use as specified in subsections (H)(1) and (H)(2) 

shall not apply to the following: 

(a) Adhesives and Sealants shipped, supplied or sold to Persons for use 

outside the District; 

(b) Any manufacturer of Adhesives or Sealants, provided that the 

manufacturer has complied with the labeling requirements of District Rule 

443.1 – Labeling of Materials Containing Organic Solvents, and the 

product is not sold directly to a user located in the District, or the product 

was sold to an independent distributor or a sales outlet located in the 

District that is not a subsidiary of, or under the control of the 

manufacturer, and was informed in writing by the manufacturer about the 

compliance status of the product with this rule; and 

(c) Adhesives and Sealants that contain less than one (1) percent by weight of 

methylene chloride. 

(I) Rule 442 Applicability 

(1) Any Adhesive, Sealant, Adhesive or Sealant application, operation, or Person 

which is exempt from all or a portion of this rule, shall comply with the applicable 

provisions of District Rule 442 – Usage of Solvents. 

(J) Exemptions 

(1) The provisions of subsection (C)(1) and subsection (C)(2) shall not apply to the 

following: 

(a) Adhesives used in Tire Repair; or 

(b) Adhesives and/or Adhesive application processes that are subject to the 

provisions of District Rules 1104, 1124, 1128, 1130 and 1130.1. 

(2) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to Aerospace Components that are 

subject to the provisions of District Rule 1124. 

(3) The provisions of subsection (C)(5) and Section (D) shall not be applied to the 

application of Adhesives or Sealants that contain less than 20 g/L of VOC per liter 

of Adhesives or Sealants, less water and less Exempt Compounds. 

(4) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to any Facility that uses less than one 

(1) pint of Adhesives in any one (1) day so long as the products were purchased 

prior to September 20, 2011. 
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Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(5) The provisions of Section (C) shall not apply to research and development 

programs and quality assurance labs provided that: 

(a) A record is kept of: 

(i) The date when the Adhesives are used, and the type of 

application(s); 

(ii) The amount of Adhesives used and the VOC content of such 

Adhesives; 

(iii) The amount of solvents used and VOC content of such solvents; 

and 

(iv) The manufacturer/suppliers identification and type of material. 

(b) Such records shall be retained in accordance with the provisions of 

Section (D) of this rule. 

(6) The provisions of subsection (C)(1) and subsection (C)(2) shall not apply to a 

Facility that demonstrates that the total volume of non-compliant Adhesives, 

Sealants, Adhesive Primers, Sealant Primers, and Adhesive Bonding Primers is 

less than 55 gallons per Facility per rolling 12 month period. On or after January 

19, 2009, a Facility may not use this subsection to exclude non-compliant 

Adhesives used in Architectural Applications, Contact Adhesives, Special 

Purpose Contact Adhesives and Adhesives used on Porous substrates. 

(7) The provisions of Section (C) shall not apply to Solvent Welding operations used 

in the manufacturing of medical devices. 

(8) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to Aerosol Adhesives and Primers 

dispensed from Aerosol Spray Cans. These products must comply with the 

CARB consumer product regulation found in Title 17 of the California Code of 

Regulations, beginning at §94507. 

(9) The provisions of subsection (C)(1) and subsection (C)(2) shall not apply to any 

Adhesive used exclusively for Thin Metal Laminating operations, provided that 

the Adhesive contains less than 780 grams of VOC per liter of Adhesive, less 

water and less Exempt Compounds, as applied, and the Facility uses a total of 

three (3) gallons per day or less of these Adhesives. 

(10) The provisions of this rule, except subsection (H)(2) and Section (D), shall not 

apply to Light Curable Adhesives and Sealants with a VOC content no more than 

50 grams per liter, less water and less Exempt Compounds. 

(11) The provisions of this rule, except subsection (H)(2), shall not apply to the use of 

Cyanoacrylate Adhesives. 

(12) The provisions of this rule shall not apply to Adhesives and Sealants subject to the 

CARB consumer products regulation found in Title 17 of the California Code of 

Regulations, beginning at §94507. 
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Adhesive and Sealant Applications 

(13) A Person may sell or apply a non-complying VOC-containing or methylene 

chloride-containing product for one (1) year after the effective date in subsection 

(C)(2) for VOC-containing Adhesives and Sealants, and for one year after the 

applicable effective date of subsection (H)(2), provided: 

(a) The product complies with the previous applicable VOC limit, 

(b) The product was manufactured prior to the effective date, and 

(c) The date of manufacture or a code indicating that date is clearly displayed 

on the product. 

(14) The provisions of this rule, except subsection (H)(2), shall not apply to Adhesives 

used to fabricate Orthotics and Prosthetics under a medical doctor’s prescription. 

(15) The provisions of this rule, except subsection (H)(2), shall not apply to Shoe 

Repair, Luggage, and Handbag Adhesives. 

See SIP Table at http://www.avaqmd.ca.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=921
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