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Volatile Organic Compounds and Smog
What are VOCs?
How do VOCs cause smog?
How does smog affect us?
Where can I get information about the air quality outside?
What has the Government done to reduce VOC emissions and smog?
What is the VOC Regulation?
How is VOC emission from petrol filling station being controlled?
What will the Government do to further reduce VOC emissions?
How can I help reduce emission of VOCs to the air?
Any guidelines for painting and printing work to help reduce VOC emissions?
Where can I get non-VOC or low-VOC products?
What are VOCs?
VOCs mean volatile organic compounds and are found in a wide variety of products such as solvent-based paints, printing inks, many consumer products, organic solvents and petroleum products. In addition to motor vehicles, the use of these VOC-containing products releases VOCs that eventually cause air pollution and smog.
How do VOCs cause smog?
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VOCs play a significant role in the formation of ozone and fine particulates in the atmosphere. Under sunlight, VOCs react with nitrogen oxides emitted mainly from vehicles, power plants and industrial activities to form ozone, which in turn helps the forming of fine particulates. The accumulation of ozone, fine particulates and other gaseous pollutants results in smog that reduces visibility. The economic growth in the Pearl River Delta comes with increased formation of these pollutants, thus aggravating the regional smog phenomenon. Smog is particularly severe under stagnant weather conditions, e.g. with typhoon approaching, or with prevailing northerly winds that are common in autumn.
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[VOC Smog]
(Click to enlarge)
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[Hong Kong]
Hong Kong's air quality is under pressure from rapid urban development in the Pearl River Delta region
How does smog affect us?
Smog can irritate our eyes, nose and throat, or can worsen existing heart and respiratory problems such as asthma. People with heart and lung problems, the elderly and children whose respiratory systems are still developing are most at risk. Healthy adults of all ages who exercise or work vigorously outdoor are more sensitive to the pollution because of their higher level of exposure than people who are less active outdoor. Prolonged exposure to severe smog condition may cause permanent damage to lung tissue and affect our immune system. In addition, smog impairs visibility and has a negative impact on tourism.
Where can I get information about the air quality outside?
API (Air Pollution Index) reported by the EPD tells you the latest and forecast of air quality in general and roadside areas. More information is given in the leaflet API & You.
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[API]
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What has the Government done to reduce VOC emissions and smog?
The Government gives high priority to controlling both street-level air pollution and smog. The strategy includes:
- Implementing a wide range of measures to control emissions from motor vehicles, power plants, and industrial and commercial processes locally.
- Working with the Guangdong Provincial Government to implement a joint plan to tackle the regional smog problem. In April 2002, the two Governments reached a consensus to reduce, on best effort, the regional emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, respirable suspended particulates and VOCs to 40%, 20%, 55% and 55% below 1997 levels respectively by 2010.
To achieve the VOC target, the HKSAR Government has implemented the following control measures:
[Vapour Recovery System for Re-fuelling]
- Tightened emissions standards of motor vehicles in line with the European Union.
- Introduced VOC Regulation in April 2007 under Air Pollution Control Ordinance to control the VOC content in architectural paints/coatings, printing inks and six selected consumer products (i.e. air fresheners, hairsprays, multi-purpose lubricants, floor wax strippers, insecticides and insect repellents), and require emission reduction devices to be installed on certain printing machines.
What will the Government do to further reduce VOC emissions?
To further reduce VOC emissions, the Government will consider implementing measures to control the use of other VOC-containing products such as organic solvents, vehicle refinishing paints, adhesives and sealants.
How can I help reduce emission of VOCs to the air?
- Avoid using aerosol consumer products such as hairsprays, air fresheners, deodorants, and insecticides that often use VOCs as their propellants. Non-aerosol consumer products are usually in pump, solid, liquid, gel, or roll-on forms.
- Replace solvent-based paints with water-based paints. If solvent-based products cannot be avoided, apply them with hand brushes or rollers instead of sprayers to reduce the use of thinners (which are almost 100% VOCs). This also minimizes overspray and wastage. See also A Simple Guide for Architects, Home Owners and Painters to Reduce Paint VOC Emission.
- Avoid buying paints with labels indicating that their VOC contents will exceed the future limits prescribed by the law.
- Avoid using VOC-containing products such as organic cleaning solvents and ask suppliers or stores for non-VOC or low-VOC alternatives, or products with a green label (e.g. awarded by Green Council).
- Store VOC-containing products in air-tight containers.
- Buy products with less packaging as the printing of packaging materials generates VOCs.
- Refuel vehicles at petrol stations with vapour recovery systems that have below certificate posted. A list of stations already installed with vapour recovery system can be found at this link.
[VRS Poster]
(Click to enlarge)
- Avoid refuelling during hotter period of the day to minimize escape of petrol vapour due to petrol "cooking" in the fuel tank.
- Drive less, share rides and use public transportation.
Any guidelines for painting and printing work to help reduce VOC emissions?
Yes. You may download and follow some simple guidelines in the leaflets and video below:
A Simple Guide for Architects, Home Owners and Painters to Reduce Paint VOC Emission
Video for Architects, Home Owners and Painters to Reduce Paint VOC Emission - "Protect our Blue Sky - Limit VOC Emission"
A Simple Guide for Publishers and Printers to Reduce VOC Emission
Protect our Blue Sky Limit VOC Emission - for General Public
Protect our Blue Sky Limit VOC Emission - for Trade Professionals
Where can I get non-VOC or low-VOC products?
Ask suppliers and stores for these products. A list of some of the suppliers or manufacturers who claim to have non-VOC or low-VOC products for sale can be found at this link. If you are a supplier or manufacturer, and would like to be included in this list, you may contact the EPD for details (Telephone.: 2838 3111, email: enquiry@epd.gov.hk).
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