Reducing VOC Emissions from Nonfumigant Pesticide Products

Back to Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions from Pesticides

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Regulations to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from nonfumigant pesticides apply to high-VOC products containing abamectin, chlorpyrifos, gibberellins, or oxyfluorfen when used in the San Joaquin Valley ozone nonattainment area. The regulations do not apply to low-VOC products for any active ingredients.
The prohibitions on the high-VOC products will be in effect between the May 1 through October 31 period during 2024.

General Information

Products designated as high-VOC, low-VOC, or excluded – Products containing abamectin, chlorpyrifos, gibberellins, or oxyfluorfen are designated as either high-VOC, low-VOC, or excluded from the regulations. VOC requirements pertain only to high-VOC products. The designation for a specific product is based on the active and inert ingredients in the product, the amounts of the ingredients, and if the label includes agricultural uses.

Sales and use requirements for high-VOC products – The regulations include requirements for pest control dealers selling a high-VOC product for use in the San Joaquin Valley. The regulations also include requirements for agricultural pest control advisers and growers prior to using a high-VOC product between May 1 and October 31 in the San Joaquin Valley for the following seven crops: alfalfa, almonds, citrus, cotton, grapes, pistachios, or walnuts. There are no VOC requirements to sell or use low-VOC or excluded products.

Use prohibitions for high-VOC products – DPR tracks VOC emissions on an annual basis based on pesticide use reports. The 2013 pesticide VOC emissions inventory exceeded the specified trigger level. Therefore, most uses of high-VOC products are prohibited for the seven crops during May-October in the San Joaquin Valley.


For content questions, contact:
Minh Pham
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015
Sacramento, CA 95812-4015
Phone: (916) 445-0979
E-mail: Minh.Pham@cdpr.ca.gov