Air Quality: Revision to Definition of Volatile Organic Compounds-Exclusion of Compounds

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to revise EPA's definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for purposes of preparing State implementation plans (SIPs) to attain the national ambient air quality standard for ozone under Title I of the Clean Air Act (Act). This proposed revision would add compounds to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOC on the basis that these compounds make a negligible contribution to tropospheric ozone formation. The compounds under consideration are propylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate. The EPA is inviting comment on an alternative evaluation criteria for exempting one of these compounds (propylene carbonate), methods for tracking changes in the use and emissions of both of these compounds and their potential substitutes, and the potential for health risks that may result from this action.