Ottawa announced a plan Saturday to crack down on additives in products such as paint and cleaners that contribute to smog.
The new regulations will limit the concentrations of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds. Identified by their strong smell, the chemicals are found in paints, varnishes, adhesives, vehicle repair cleaners, hairspray, perfume and nail polish. They typically make coatings and solvents more adhesive and durable.
When VOCs are released into the atmosphere, they combine with other air pollutants to form ground level ozone and particulate matter — the main ingredients of smog.
"It's hard to imagine that painting your house or refinishing the painted surface of your vehicle actually contributes to smog," said Environment Minister John Baird, who made the announcement at an Ottawa hardware store. "But these actions do just that."
The government's proposed regulations, which will take effect in 2010, would limit the VOCs in three areas:
* Consumer products, including nail polish, adhesives, caulking, shaving cream and deodorant.
* Architectural coatings, including paints, stains and varnishes.
* Automotive refinishing products, including coatings and surface cleaners used in vehicle refinishing or repairs.
"Smog is linked to serious health impacts, including chronic bronchitis, asthma and premature deaths," said Baird. "Far too many families and sports teams and joggers alike, can't go out on smog days because the air is just too thick."
The federal government says VOCs are the second largest contributor to smog in the country, second only to vehicle emissions.
An industry representative says it will cost the sector several hundred million dollars to lower VOC levels in consumer products.
Greg Stebbe, the owner of Calgary's Walls Alive paint store, says it will take time and money to produce new products.
He says it took four years to make an environmentally-friendly and durable paint for his store. Although the paint is double the price of standard paint, Stebbe says he thinks Canadians are willing to pay more to pollute less.
"I think Canadians generally want to feel as if — at least feel as if — they're making a contribution and they can make a contribution by choosing a high quality product that's green certifiable," said Stebbe.
Source: www.cbc.ca/canada/story...mog-plan.html
The new regulations will limit the concentrations of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds. Identified by their strong smell, the chemicals are found in paints, varnishes, adhesives, vehicle repair cleaners, hairspray, perfume and nail polish. They typically make coatings and solvents more adhesive and durable.
When VOCs are released into the atmosphere, they combine with other air pollutants to form ground level ozone and particulate matter — the main ingredients of smog.
"It's hard to imagine that painting your house or refinishing the painted surface of your vehicle actually contributes to smog," said Environment Minister John Baird, who made the announcement at an Ottawa hardware store. "But these actions do just that."
The government's proposed regulations, which will take effect in 2010, would limit the VOCs in three areas:
* Consumer products, including nail polish, adhesives, caulking, shaving cream and deodorant.
* Architectural coatings, including paints, stains and varnishes.
* Automotive refinishing products, including coatings and surface cleaners used in vehicle refinishing or repairs.
"Smog is linked to serious health impacts, including chronic bronchitis, asthma and premature deaths," said Baird. "Far too many families and sports teams and joggers alike, can't go out on smog days because the air is just too thick."
The federal government says VOCs are the second largest contributor to smog in the country, second only to vehicle emissions.
An industry representative says it will cost the sector several hundred million dollars to lower VOC levels in consumer products.
Greg Stebbe, the owner of Calgary's Walls Alive paint store, says it will take time and money to produce new products.
He says it took four years to make an environmentally-friendly and durable paint for his store. Although the paint is double the price of standard paint, Stebbe says he thinks Canadians are willing to pay more to pollute less.
"I think Canadians generally want to feel as if — at least feel as if — they're making a contribution and they can make a contribution by choosing a high quality product that's green certifiable," said Stebbe.
Source: www.cbc.ca/canada/story...mog-plan.html
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