Sacramento Air District Air Pollution Control Regulations

This air district does have a rule specifically governing VOC emissions from graphic arts operations, Rule 450, Graphic Arts Operations. The rule applies to any facility with actual VOC emissions of more than 60 pounds per month from all graphic arts operations including cleaning operations. If your facility meets this applicability threshold, then you must use inks that meet the following requirements.  All VOC content limitations are based on a less water, as applied basis.

• Printing Ink (3.3 lbs./gallon)
• Adhesive (1.25 lbs./gallon)
• Coating (3.3 lbs./gallon)
• Electronic Circuit (6.7 lbs./gallon)
• Extreme Performance Ink/Coating (6.7 lbs/gallon)
• Metallic Ink (3.3 lbs./gallon)
• Sign Ink/Coating (4.1 lbs./gallon)
• Mechanically Formed Products (6.7 lbs/gallon)
• Overlays (6.7 lbs./gallon)
• Web-Fed Wallpaper (2.5 lbs./gallon)
• Water Slide Decals (6.7 lbs./gallon)

The rule also contains provisions for solvent cleaning applications. For screen printing facilities that meet the applicability threshold of 60 pounds per month, cleaning materials with no more than 100 grams of VOC per liter. The ability to use a low vapor pressure product is dropped as a compliance option. All facilities must maintain records of usage of materials. Even those facilities that do not meet the applicability cap must maintain documentation to illustrate their exemption status.