Volatile chemical products emerging as largest petrochemical source of urban organic emissions

TLDR

Transport‑derived VOC emissions have fallen due to stricter controls, raising the relative importance of chemicals from pesticides, coatings, inks, adhesives, cleaning agents, and personal care products. Volatile chemical products now account for half of emitted VOCs in 33 industrialized cities, indicating that strategies to curb ozone formation and toxic burdens must shift. McDonald et al., Science, this issue p.

Abstract

Air pollution evolution Transport-derived emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have decreased owing to stricter controls on air pollution. This means that the relative importance of chemicals in pesticides, coatings, printing inks, adhesives, cleaning agents, and personal care products has increased. McDonald et al. show that these volatile chemical products now contribute fully one-half of emitted VOCs in 33 industrialized cities (see the Perspective by Lewis). Thus, the focus of efforts to mitigate ozone formation and toxic chemical burdens need to be adjusted. Science , this issue p. 760 ; see also p. 744