Proposed Amended Rule 1136 – Wood Products Coatings

Rule 1136 regulates emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from coatings, strippers, and solvents used in the manufacture, refinishing, and maintenance of wood products, including furniture, cabinets, shutters, and other coated wood materials. Proposed Amended Rule 1136 (PAR 1136) partially implements 2022 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) control measure CTS-01 – Further Emission Reductions from Coatings, Solvents, Adhesives, and Lubricants to phase out the use of para-Chlorobenzotrifluoride (pCBtF) and tert-Butyl Acetate (t-BAc) in primers, coatings, sealants and maskants products due to toxicity concerns. PAR 1136 proposes to: 1) maintain the existing VOC limits for wood products coatings and strippers; 2) add a prohibition schedule for pCBtF and t-BAc in wood coatings and paint strippers, including sell-through and use-through periods designed to address stranded inventory concerns; 3) add optional alternative Product-Weighted Maximum Incremental Reactivity (PW-MIR) VOC limits for the major coating categories; 4) reorganize and update test methods to improve clarity and consistency with other South Coast AQMD coating rules; and 5) add labeling requirements for wood coating materials that elect to comply with the alternative PW-MIR VOC limits. Phasing out and limiting pCBtF and t-BAc emissions in PAR 1136 will benefit workers, nearby receptors, and the public by reducing the potential risk of exposure to these toxic chemicals.