Japan to Reduce VOC Emissions by 40% in FY2010

Twenty-two voluntary action plans to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions have been submitted by 25 industry groups, currently consisting of 9,242 businesses, according to a report by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to the Environmental Risk Countermeasures Joint Working Group of the Industrial Structure Council on May 11, 2006.

According to the summary report, VOC emissions in fiscal 2004 were 320,000 tons, down by 110,000 tons from fiscal 2000, the base year. The ministry has set a target of reducing VOC emissions to 290,000 tons by fiscal 2008 and 260,000 tons by fiscal 2010, a 40 percent reduction from the base year.

VOC-derived photochemical oxidants contribute to the formation of photochemical smog, and VOCs can cause the "sick house syndrome", and contamination of soil and groundwater as well as drinking water. According to the government, to limit VOC emissions, effective measures are needed by combining both governmental regulation and voluntary efforts of businesses.

http://www.meti.go.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2006/08/23 06:19:56 AM
Japanese version