Reporting volatile organic compounds to the National Pollutant Release Inventory

This page provides information to assist with reporting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI). It provides general information on reporting VOCs to the NPRI, the definition of total VOCs, and information on groups and isomers that are reported individually.

Background

The term VOCs refers to more than 1,000 organic substances that readily volatilize (which means evaporate or disperse in vapour) and undergo photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. These VOCs are precursors to the formation of ground-level ozone and particulate matter that are the main ingredients in smog.

VOCs are included in Parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the NPRI substance list, as shown in Figure 1.

Information about reporting the VOCs included in these various Parts follows on this page. You can find more details in the Guide for reporting to the NPRI.

Relationship between VOCs reported under different NPRI Parts
Long description

This Euler diagram describes the relationship between the four Parts of the NPRI substance list that include volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Total volatile organic compounds (Part 4) include:

  • All of the speciated VOCs (Part 5)
  • Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Part 2)
  • Some other VOCs of (Part 1)
  • Some other VOCs (not included in Parts 1, 2 or 5)

The speciated VOCs (Part 5) and the other VOCs (Part 1) overlap each other. The overlap represents VOCs reported under both Parts 1 and 5 (such as aniline, benzene and chlorobenzene).

Reporting individual volatile organic compound substances listed in Parts 1 and 2

Some substances listed in Parts 1 and 2 are VOCs, in addition to being of health or environmental concern. If you meet the requirements for reporting Part 1 or 2 substances, you report these VOCs as individual substances. When reporting these VOCs under Part 1 or 2, you must report all releases (including releases to air, water and land), as well as disposals and recycling.

Please note that you may need to report a particular VOC under Part 1 or 2, and include it in the total VOCs reported under Part 4, if you meet the criteria for each of the Parts. In addition, NPRI lists certain VOCs in both Part 1 and 5 (refer to the section below for details on reporting Part 5 VOCs).

Reporting total volatile organic compounds listed in Part 4

Part 4 of the NPRI substance list includes a substance grouping called VOCs, which is one of the seven criteria air contaminants. If your facility meets the release threshold of 10 tonnes or more of total VOCs, you must report that amount as air releases. Your report for total VOCs must include all VOCs, as defined below, whether or not you also report them individually under Parts 1, 2 or 5.

The definition of total VOCs used by NPRI comes from the List of Toxic Substances (Schedule 1) established under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The List of Toxic Substances does not directly name substances that are VOCs, but rather it excludes certain substances from consideration.

For reporting of total VOCs under Part 4 of the NPRI, include any VOC that participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions, unless the substance appears in Table 1. This table provides the names and Chemical Abstract Services Registry Numbers (CAS RNs) for substances that you exclude when reporting total VOCs.

Table 1: Substances that are not considered VOCs (do not include the following substances when you report total VOCs under Part 4 of the NPRI)
Name of substance or group of substances CAS RN
(a) methane 74-82-8
(b) ethane

74-84-0

(c) methylene chloride (dichloromethane)

75-09-2

(d) 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)

71-55-6

(e) 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CFC-113)

76-13-1

(f) trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11)

75-69-4

(g) dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12)

75-71-8

(h) chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22)

75-45-6

(i) trifluoromethane (HFC-23)

75-46-7

(j) 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (CFC-114)

76-14-2

(k) chloropentafluoroethane (CFC-115)

76-15-3

(l) 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,2-dichloroethane (HCFC-123)

306-83-2

(m) 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a)

811-97-2

(n) 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b)

1717-00-6

(o) 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b)

75-68-3

(p) 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HCFC-124)

2837-89-0

(q) pentafluoroethane (HFC-125)

354-33-6

(r) 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134)

359-35-3

(s) 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a)

420-46-2

(t) 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a)

75-37-6

(u) parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF)

98-56-6

(v) cyclic, branched, or linear completely methylated siloxanes

various

(w) acetone

67-64-1

(x) perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene)

127-18-4

(y) 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1,2,2-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-225ca)

422-56-0

(z) 1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HCFC-225cb)

507-55-1

(z.1) 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane (HFC-43-10mee)

138495-42-8

(z.2) difluoromethane (HFC-32)

75-10-5

(z.3) ethylfluoride (HFC-161)

353-36-6

(z.4) 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (HFC-236fa)

690-39-1

(z.5) 1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245ca)

679-86-7

(z.6) 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245ea)

24270-66-4

(z.7) 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245eb)

431-31-2

(z.8) 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa)

460-73-1

(z.9) 1,1,1,2,3,3-hexafluoropropane (HFC-236ea)

431-63-0

(z.10) 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (HFC-365mfc)

406-58-6

(z.11) chlorofluoromethane (HCFC-31)

593-70-4

(z.12) 1-chloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-151a)

1615-75-4

(z.13) 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-123a)

354-23-4

(z.14) 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4-nonafluoro-4-methoxy-butane (C4F9OCH3)

163702-07-6

(z.15) 2-(difluoromethoxymethyl)-1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane ( (CF3)2CFCF2OCH3)

163702-08-7

(z.16) 1-ethoxy-1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,4-nonafluorobutane (C4F9OC2H5)

163702-05-4

(z.17) 2-(ethoxydifluoromethyl)-1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane ( (CF3)2CFCF2OC2H5)

163702-06-5

(z.18) (i) methyl acetate and perfluorocarbon compounds that fall into the following classes: cyclic, branched or linear completely fluorinated alkanes

79-20-9 (and various)

(z.18) (ii) methyl acetate and perfluorocarbon compounds that fall into the following classes: cyclic, branched, or linear completely fluorinated ethers with no unsaturations

79-20-9 (and various)

(z.18) (iii) methyl acetate and perfluorocarbon compounds that fall into the following classes: cyclic, branched or linear completely fluorinated tertiary amines with no unsaturations

79-20-9 (and various)

(z.18) (iv) methyl acetate and perfluorocarbon compounds that fall into the following classes: sulfur containing perfluorocarbons with no unsaturations and with sulfur bonds only to carbon and fluorine

79-20-9 (and various)

*(z.19) 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoro-3-methoxy-propane (HFE-7000)

375-03-1

*(z.20) 3-ethoxy-1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6-dodecafluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl) hexane (HFE-7500)

297730-93-9

*(z.21) 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFC-227ea)

431-89-0

*(z.22) methyl formate (HCOOCH3)

107-31-3

*(z.23) t-butyl acetate

540-88-5

*(z.24) 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoro-3-methoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-pentane (HFE-7300)

132182-92-4

*(z.25) propylene carbonate

108-32-7

*(z.26) dimethyl carbonat

616-38-6

*(z.27) trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234ze)

29118-24-9

*(z.28) HCF2OCF2H (HFE-134)

1691-17-4

*(z.29) HCF2OCF2OCF2H (HFE-236cal2)

78522-47-1

*(z.30) HCF2OCF2CF2OCF2H (HFE-338pcc13)

188690-78-0

*(z.31) HCF2OCF2OCF2CF2OCF2H

188690-77-9

*(z.32) 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf)

754-12-1

*(z.33) trans 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene [HCFO-1233zd(E)]

102687-65-0

*(z.34) 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol

124-68-5

*The VOC definition on Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 was amended as of June 15, 2016. This amendment added these 16 compounds to the list of substances excluded from the VOC definition.

Reporting individual volatile organic compound substances listed in Part 5

Part 5 lists 65 individual VOCs – referred to as speciated VOCs – in three groups (individual substances, isomer groups, and other groups and mixtures). These VOCs are subject to additional reporting requirements. If you meet the Part 4 reporting requirements, you report the amount that you released to air of each individual Part 5 VOC if that amount is greater than or equal to 1 tonne (the release threshold).

When reporting VOCs under Part 5, you should note that there is some overlap between the individual substances, isomer groups, and other groups and mixtures listed in Part 5. For example, all isomers of decane are C10 hydrocarbons, therefore they also meet the definition of analytically unresolved hydrocarbons (C10 to C16+), which are listed in the other groups and mixtures section. Do not report the same quantity of a substance more than once within Part 5. For example, if the quantity of isomers of decane released to air is included as part of the total amount reported for isomers of decane, do not include that same quantity in the reported amount of analytically unresolved hydrocarbons.

When reporting VOCs under Part 5, use the following as your guide:

NPRI has developed the following tables and lists to help reporting facilities identify VOCs for Part 5 reporting. The following sections list substance names and CAS RNs that are included in the groups and mixtures of VOCs listed in Part 5 of the NPRI. Synonyms and common names are also shown where applicable. These tables have been updated to reflect the changes that were made to NPRI requirements for 2018 reporting.

When using the information provided, note that the CAS RNs for isomer groups and other groups and mixtures are for information purposes only. They do not necessarily include all the CAS RNs that may apply to the group or mixture. In addition, isomers of the listed substances may exist in mixtures of isomers, and the CAS RNs of these mixtures of isomers may not necessarily be listed below.

Table 2: Synonyms for individual substances in Part 5 of the NPRI
NPRI Substance Name CAS RN Synonyms

Acetylene

74-86-2

Ethyne

Benzene

71-43-2

Cyclohexatriene; phenyl hydride

1,3-Butadiene

106-99-0

Vinyl ethylene; biethylene; bivinyl

2-Butoxyethanol

111-76-2

EGBE; butyl cellosolve; n-butoxyethanol

p-Dichlorobenzene

106-46-7

1,4-Dichlorobenzene; PDCB; p-chlorophenyl chloride

1,2-Dichloroethane

107-06-2

Ethylene dichloride

Dimethylether

115-10-6

Methyl ether; methoxymethane

Ethanol

64-17-5

Ethyl alcohol; ethyl hydroxide; methylcarbinol

Ethyl acetate

141-78-6

Ethyl acetic ester; acetoxyethane

Ethylene

74-85-1

Ethene

Formaldehyde

50-00-0

Methyl aldehyde; methylene glycol; oxomethane

Furfuryl alcohol

98-00-0

N/A

n-Hexane

110-54-3

Normal hexane; dipropyl; hexyl hydride

Isopropyl Alcohol

67-63-0

2-Propanol; isopropanol; rubbing alcohol

D-Limonene

5989-27-5

D-1,8-p-Menthadiene

Methanol

67-56-1

Methyl alcohol; wood alcohol; monohydroxymethane

Methyl ethyl ketone

78-93-3

2-Butanone; methyl acetone

Methylcyclopentane

96-37-7

Methyl cyclopentane; methylpentamethylene

Methyl isobutyl ketone

108-10-1

Hexanone; isopropylacetone

Myrcene

123-35-3

7-Methyl-3-methylene-octadiene

beta-Phellandrene

555-10-2

1(7)-2-p-Menthadiene

alpha-Pinene

80-56-8

Cyclic dexadiene

beta-Pinene

127-91-3

Nopinene

Propane

74-98-6

N/A

n-Propyl alcohol

71-23-8

1-Propanol; 1-propyl alcohol

Propylene

115-07-1

Propene

Styrene

100-42-5

Phenylethylene; vinyl benzene

Tetrahydrofuran

109-99-9

N/A

Toluene

108-88-3

Methylbenzene; phenyl methane

1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene

95-63-6

1,3,4-Trimethylbenzene; 1,2,5-trimethylbenzene; pseudocumene

Vinyl Acetate

108-05-4

Acetic acid ethylene ether

Isomer groups listed in Part 5 with CAS RNs of included isomers

Part 5 isomer groups are listed below with their CAS number and synonyms. To view CAS RNs of isomers included in the group, click the arrow to the left of the substance name.

Butane (all isomers) NA-24 (synonyms: C4 paraffins, C4 alkanes, isomers of butane) 
  • 106-97-8
  • 75-28-5
Butene (all isomers) 25167-67-3 (synonyms: C4 olefin, C4 alkenes, butylene)
  • 25167-67-3
  • 106-98-9
  • 590-18-1
  • 624-64-6
  • 115-11-7
  • 107-01-7
Butyl acetate (all isomers) NA-41 (synonyms: Butyl ester acetic acid, butyl ethanoate)
  • 123-86-4
  • 110-19-0
  • 105-46-4

Excludes tert-butyl acetate (CAS RN 540-88-5)

Cycloheptane (all isomers) NA-25 (synonyms: C7 cycloparaffins, C7 cycloalkanes, C2 cyclopentane)
  • 291-64-5
  • 108-87-2
  • 1640-89-7
  • 1638-26-2
  • 1192-18-3
  • 1759-58-6
  • 2453-00-1
  • 28729-52-4
  • 2532-58-3
  • 822-50-4

Includes methylcylohexane

Cyclohexene (all isomers) NA-26 (synonyms: C6 cycloalkenes, isomers of cyclohexene)
  • 110-83-8
  • 693-89-0
  • 1120-62-3
  • 1759-81-5
  • 1501-58-2

Includes methylcyclopentenes

Cyclooctane (all isomers) NA-27 (synonyms: C8 cycloparaffins, C8 cycloalkanes, C2 cyclohexane)
  • 292-64-8
  • 4126-78-7
  • 1678-91-7
  • 2207-04-7
  • 589-90-2
  • 591-21-9
  • 624-29-3
  • 583-57-3
  • 6876-23-9
  • 27195-67-1
  • 590-66-9
  • 2207-01-4
  • 2207-03-6
  • 638-04-0
  • 30498-64-7
  • 4516-69-2
  • 4850-28-6
  • 4259-00-1
  • 2613-69-6
  • 16747-50-5
  • 930-90-5
  • 930-89-2
  • 2040-96-2
  • 3875-51-2

Includes dimethycylohexane

Decane (all isomers) NA-28 (synonyms: C10 paraffins, C10 alkanes, isomers of decane)
  • 124-18-5
  • 34464-38-5
  • 63335-87-5
  • 871-83-0
  • 5911-04-6
  • 17301-94-9
  • 15869-85-9
  • 5881-17-4
  • 15869-86-0
  • 7146-60-3
  • 15869-87-1
  • 15869-95-1
  • 2051-30-1
  • 4110-44-5
  • 15869-93-9
  • 1072-16-8
  • 15869-94-0
  • 52896-87-4
  • 14676-29-0
  • 17302-01-1
  • 14720-74-2
  • 20278-87-9
  • 20278-89-1
  • 2613-61-8
  • 4032-93-3
  • 7154-80-5
  • 79004-85-6
  • 1071-81-4
  • 13475-81-5
  • 16747-42-5
  • 5171-84-6
Ethyltoluene (all isomers) NA-42 (synonyms: o-Ethyltoluene, o-methylethylbenzene, 2-ethyltoluene, 3-ethyltoluene, m-ethyltoluene, 4-ethyltoluene, p-ethylmethylbenzene, p-ethyltoluene)
  • 611-14-3
  • 620-14-4
  • 622-96-8
Heptane (all isomers) NA-31 (synonyms: C7 paraffins, C7 alkanes, isomers of heptane)
  • 142-82-5
  • 31394-54-4
  • 73513-42-5
  • 25495-88-9
  • 589-34-4
  • 591-76-4
  • 617-78-7
  • 38815-29-1
  • 565-59-3
  • 108-08-7
  • 562-49-2
  • 590-35-2
  • 464-06-2
Hexane (all isomers excluding n-hexane) NA-32 (synonyms: C6 paraffins, C6 alkanes, isomers of hexane)
  • 43133-95-5
  • 107-83-5
  • 96-14-0
  • 75-83-2
  • 79-29-8
  • 38719-68-5

n-Hexane is listed separately in Part 1 and Part 5

Hexene (all isomers) 25264-93-1 (synonyms: C6 olefins, C6 alkenes, isomers of hexane)
  • 25264-93-1
  • 592-41-6
  • 592-43-8
  • 592-47-2
  • 7688-21-3
  • 7642-09-3
  • 37275-41-5
  • 625-27-4
  • 691-37-2
  • 763-29-1
  • 4461-48-7
  • 760-20-3
  • 27236-46-0
  • 760-21-4
  • 563-78-0
  • 563-79-1
  • 558-37-2

Includes methylpentenes

Nonane (all isomers) NA-33 (synonyms: C9 paraffins, C9 alkanes, isomers of nonane)
  • 111-84-2
  • 61193-19-9
  • 3221-61-2
  • 2216-33-3
  • 2216-34-4
  • 15869-80-4
  • 2216-32-2
  • 30498-66-9
  • 4032-86-4
  • 1072-05-5
  • 2213-23-2
  • 3074-71-3
  • 1068-19-5
  • 1071-26-7
  • 2216-30-0
  • 922-28-1
  • 926-82-9
  • 3074-75-7
  • 3074-77-9
  • 16789-46-1
  • 26447-41-6
  • 3522-94-9
  • 16747-26-5
  • 1069-53-0
  • 16747-25-4
  • 1068-87-7
  • 16747-30-1
  • 16747-31-2
  • 921-47-1
  • 1067-20-5
  • 86571-39-3
  • 1070-87-7
  • 16747-32-3
  • 60265-51-2
  • 1186-53-4
  • 7154-79-2
  • 16747-38-9
Octane (all isomers) NA-34 (synonyms: C8 paraffins, C8 alkanes, isomers of octane)
  • 111-65-9
  • 50985-84-7
  • 589-81-1
  • 592-27-8
  • 589-53-7
  • 111002-96-1
  • 619-99-8
  • 28777-67-5
  • 584-94-1
  • 589-43-5
  • 563-16-6
  • 590-73-8
  • 592-13-2
  • 583-48-2
  • 79914-21-9
  • 1067-08-9
  • 609-26-7
  • 29222-48-8
  • 540-84-1
  • 560-21-4
  • 564-02-3
  • 565-75-3
  • 594-82-1

Includes dimethylhexanes

Pentane (all isomers) NA-35 (synonyms: C5 paraffins, C5 alkanes, isomers of pentane)
  • 109-66-0
  • 78-78-4
  • 463-82-1
  • 102056-77-9

Includes 50% C5 paraffin/olefin

Pentene (all isomers) NA-36 (synonyms: C5 olefin, C5 alkenes, amylene)
  • 109-67-1
  • 25377-72-4
  • 68527-11-7
  • 109-68-2
  • 513-35-9
  • 627-20-3
  • 646-04-8
  • 563-46-2
  • 563-45-1
  • 26760-64-5

Includes methylbutenes, 50% C5 paraffin/olefin

Propyl acetate (all isomers) NA-43 (synonyms: 1-Acetoxypropane, 2-acetoxypropane, propyl ethanoate)
  • 108-21-4
  • 109-60-4
Propylene glycol methyl ether acetate 108-65-6 (synonyms: PGMEA)
  • 70657-70-4
  • 84540-57-8
Trimethylbenzene (all isomers excluding 1,2,4- trimethylbenzene) 25551-13-7
  • 25551-13-7
  • 526-73-8
  • 108-67-8

1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene is listed separately in Part 1 and Part 5

Xylene (all isomers) 1330-20-7 (synonyms: Dimethylbenzene)
  • 1330-20-7
  • 108-38-3
  • 95-47-6
  • 106-42-3
  • 179601-23-1

Includes m-xylene, o-xylene, p-xylene

Table 3: Other VOC groups and mixtures listed in Part 5, including CAS RNs and synonyms of included substances
NPRI Substance Name CAS RN or other Substance Identifier and Synonyms

Analytically unresolved hydrocarbons (C10 to C16+)

NA-44

Heavy aromatic solvent naphtha

64742-94-5

Synonyms: Heavy aromatics; aromatic 150

Hydrotreated heavy naphtha

64742-48-9

Hydrotreated light distillate

64742-47-8

Light aromatic solvent naphtha

64742-95-6

Synonyms: Aromatic 100

Mineral spirits

64475-85-0

Naphtha

8030-30-6

Other glycol ethers and acetates (and their isomers)

Limited to CAS RNs listed in Table 5

Solvent naphtha light aliphatic

64742-89-8

Solvent naphtha medium aliphatic

64742-88-7

Stoddard solvent

8052-41-3

Synonyms: White spirits

VM & P naphtha

8032-32-4

Other glycol ethers and acetates (and their isomers) (NA-45), including CAS RNs and synonyms

Other glycol ethers and acetates (and their isomers) are listed below with their synonyms. To view CAS RNs of isomers included in the group, click the arrow to the left of the substance name.

Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate (synonyms: EGBEA; 2-butoxyethanol acetate)
  • 112-07-2
Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate (synonyms: DGEEA; 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol acetate)
  • 112-15-2
Ethylene glycol monohexyl ether (synonyms: EGHE; 2-(hexyloxy)ethanol)
  • 112-25-4
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (synonyms: DGBE; 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol)
  • 112-34-5
Propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (synonyms: PGBE; PnB; 1-butoxy-2-propanol)
  • 5131-66-8
  • 29387-86-8
Propylene glycol monomethyl ether (synonyms: PGME; PM; 1-methoxy-2-propanol)
  • 1569-02-4
  • 52125-53-8
Ethylene glycol monopropyl ether (synonyms: EGPE; 2-propoxyethanol)
  • 2807-30-9
Dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether (synonyms: DPGPE; DGPE; DPnP; 1-(1-methyl-2-propoxyethoxy)-2-propanol)
  • 29911-27-1
Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (synonyms: DGBE; DPnB; 1-(2-butoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propanol)
  • 29911-28-2
  • 35884-42-5
Dipropylene glycol methyl ether (synonyms: DPGME; DGME; DPM; methoxypropoxypropanol)
  • 34590-94-8
  • 13429-07-7
  • 20324-32-7
  • 13588-28-8
  • 55956-21-3
Propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate (synonyms: PGEEA; ethoxy propyl acetate)
  • 54839-24-6
Propylene glycol diacetate (synonyms: PGDA; 1,2-propyleneglycol diacetate)
  • 623-84-7
Dipropylene glycol methyl ether acetate (synonyms: DPGMEA; DGMEA; DPMA; (2-methoxymethylethoxy)propanol acetate)
  • 88917-22-0

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