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| Consumer products' air quality impact 'underestimated' | Consumer products' air quality impact 'underestimated' |
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| US research has found that chemicals in everyday household products are now a key contributor to city air pollution, rivalling some vehicle emissions. | |
| The study, led from Colorado University, focussed on so-called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). | The study, led from Colorado University, focussed on so-called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). |
| These are contained in petroleum-based products such as cleaning fluids and paints, and when they get into the air can form particles that affect health. | These are contained in petroleum-based products such as cleaning fluids and paints, and when they get into the air can form particles that affect health. |
| The scientists say the sources of non-vehicle VOCs have been underestimated. | The scientists say the sources of non-vehicle VOCs have been underestimated. |
| This is a surprising result because by weight, we all use far more fuel than we do these other chemical products. About 95% of raw oil goes into the production of fuels, whereas roughly only 5% is refined for use in chemicals that are included in the likes of deodorants, pesticides, and adhesives. | This is a surprising result because by weight, we all use far more fuel than we do these other chemical products. About 95% of raw oil goes into the production of fuels, whereas roughly only 5% is refined for use in chemicals that are included in the likes of deodorants, pesticides, and adhesives. |
| Brian McDonald and colleagues pulled together a wide range of information for their study. | Brian McDonald and colleagues pulled together a wide range of information for their study. |
| They looked again at the statistics compiled by industries and regulatory agencies; they flew atmospheric sampling missions above Los Angeles to examine the air chemistry; and they also evaluated indoor air quality measurements made by other researchers. | They looked again at the statistics compiled by industries and regulatory agencies; they flew atmospheric sampling missions above Los Angeles to examine the air chemistry; and they also evaluated indoor air quality measurements made by other researchers. |
| The team concluded that in the US, the amount of VOCs emitted by consumer and industrial products is very probably two or three times greater than estimated by current air pollution inventories. | The team concluded that in the US, the amount of VOCs emitted by consumer and industrial products is very probably two or three times greater than estimated by current air pollution inventories. |
| They add that these inventories likely also overestimate the motor vehicle sources. | They add that these inventories likely also overestimate the motor vehicle sources. |
| The researchers cite as an example the current estimates from the US Environmental Protection Agency. | The researchers cite as an example the current estimates from the US Environmental Protection Agency. |
| The EPA considers that about 75% of petroleum-based VOC emissions came from vehicle fuels, and roughly 25% from chemical products. The Colorado reassessment puts the split closer to 50-50. | The EPA considers that about 75% of petroleum-based VOC emissions came from vehicle fuels, and roughly 25% from chemical products. The Colorado reassessment puts the split closer to 50-50. |
| "The use of these products emits VOCs in a magnitude that's comparable to what comes out of the tailpipe of your car. One of the main reasons for this is that in the US, as well as in Europe, air quality regulations have been really successful at controlling emissions from motor vehicles," said Dr McDonald, who is affiliated to the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). | "The use of these products emits VOCs in a magnitude that's comparable to what comes out of the tailpipe of your car. One of the main reasons for this is that in the US, as well as in Europe, air quality regulations have been really successful at controlling emissions from motor vehicles," said Dr McDonald, who is affiliated to the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES). |
| "In some ways, this is a good news story that, as we control some of the bigger sources in the past, the other sources are emerging in relative importance, such as these consumer products," he told reporters. | "In some ways, this is a good news story that, as we control some of the bigger sources in the past, the other sources are emerging in relative importance, such as these consumer products," he told reporters. |
| Experts say the results of this research are broadly applicable to other industrialised nations. | Experts say the results of this research are broadly applicable to other industrialised nations. |
| Anthony Frew, a professor of respiratory medicine at Brighton & Sussex Medical School in the UK commented: "This research is a useful reminder that discussions of air pollution need to consider all sources of pollutants and that measures targeting cars only address part of the problem. | Anthony Frew, a professor of respiratory medicine at Brighton & Sussex Medical School in the UK commented: "This research is a useful reminder that discussions of air pollution need to consider all sources of pollutants and that measures targeting cars only address part of the problem. |
| "Engineering changes to car exhausts have dramatically reduced the amount of pollution produced per mile, meaning that (a) there is now less to be gained from further changes to cars and (b) the public need more information on how their activities, apart from driving, contribute to current pollution levels." | "Engineering changes to car exhausts have dramatically reduced the amount of pollution produced per mile, meaning that (a) there is now less to be gained from further changes to cars and (b) the public need more information on how their activities, apart from driving, contribute to current pollution levels." |
| The Colorado study is published in Science Magazine. It was also presented on Thursday to the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Austin, Texas. | The Colorado study is published in Science Magazine. It was also presented on Thursday to the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Austin, Texas. |
| By Roger Harrabin, BBC Environment Analyst | By Roger Harrabin, BBC Environment Analyst |
| The air we breathe contains such a diverse mix of compounds it's impossible for researchers to be sure what chemical is causing what problem. | The air we breathe contains such a diverse mix of compounds it's impossible for researchers to be sure what chemical is causing what problem. |
| And there's an even trickier issue - setting pollution limits that are appropriate for everyone. Air fresheners are loved by some people - but they make others choke. Cleaning sprays are useful - but they make some people's eyes run. I know someone whose childhood asthma is thought to have been provoked by chemical emissions from flat-packed furniture in his bedroom. | And there's an even trickier issue - setting pollution limits that are appropriate for everyone. Air fresheners are loved by some people - but they make others choke. Cleaning sprays are useful - but they make some people's eyes run. I know someone whose childhood asthma is thought to have been provoked by chemical emissions from flat-packed furniture in his bedroom. |
| This is a neglected field of research as public and media attention has focused on cars outdoors at the expense of chemicals indoors. | This is a neglected field of research as public and media attention has focused on cars outdoors at the expense of chemicals indoors. |
| Follow Roger on Twitter @rharrabin | Follow Roger on Twitter @rharrabin |