San Diego Air District Air Pollution Control Regulations

Rule 67.16  regulates graphic arts facilities operating in the district, including  all continuous web or single sheet fed graphic arts printing, processing, laminating or drying operations and digital printing operations.

Digital printing operations are exempt from the rule as long as those claiming the exemption maintain:

A current list of graphic arts materials and cleaning materials used;
Provide documentation containing the VOC content, less water and exempt compounds of each graphic arts material (excluding thinner), as applied and the VOC content of each thinner and cleaning material and/or total VOC vapor pressure, as used;
Keep monthly records of the type and amount of each graphic arts material and cleaning material used.

Facilities emitting more than 15 lbs. of VOC per day from all graphic arts operations are subject to the rule’s requirements. If your facility is exempt, you must maintain records to prove your exemption status. If you fall under this rule, then you must use inks with no more than 300 grams of VOC per liter, less water, as applied.  Cleaning solvents can contain no more than 100 grams of VOC per liter, or have a vapor pressure of less than 45 mmHg. Facilities subject to the rule do have record keeping responsibilities. All records shall be retained on site for at least three years and shall be made available to the District upon request.