Volatile Organic Compounds (Hansard, 16 June 2003)

§ Norman Baker
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the environmental impact arising from(a) paints containing a high amount of volatile solvents, (b) adhesives and sealants marketed for use in the home, (c) laminate, (d) vinyl, (e) PVC plastic and (f) rubber flooring; and if she will make a statement. [119089]

§ Alun Michael
I assume that this question is about the environmental impact in terms of emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds from making use of the products listed.
The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory gives the total of emissions to atmosphere in the UK of non-methane volatile organic solvents in the year 2000 as 1676 kilotonnes. Separate research conducted for us by ENTEC suggests that of this total about 50 kilotonnes of emissions were from decorative paints, and less than 1 kilotonne from the domestic use of adhesives and sealants. Emissions from the other products listed were not identified separately.

§ Norman Baker
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research she has conducted into the environmental impact of spray furniture polish; and if she will make a statement. [119072]

§ Alun Michael
I assume this question concerns the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) a common constituent of aerosol products and a known contributor to the formation of tropospheric ozone which has been widely researched, and which is known to cause damage to ecosystems and to human health, primarily to the respiratory system.
14W
Since 1990 overall UK emissions of VOCs have fallen by approximately 44 per cent. to 1514 kilotonnes in 2001. Under the National Emission Ceilings Directive we are committed to further reductions to 1200 kilotonnes by 2010.
Estimated emissions of VOCs from aerosol household products makes up about 0.5 per cent. of total UK VOC emissions. This amounts to approximately eight kilotonnes out of the 2001 total of 1514 kilotonnes. Spray furniture polish constitutes a relatively small proportion of the total aerosol household products category.