Toxic Air Emissions in the South Bay

In 1990, some of California’s worst toxic air polluters could be found in the South Bay, according to figures filed by manufacturers. Manufacturing firms are required to provide statistics on emissions of about 340 chemicals as part of a “community right to know” law passed by Congress in 1986. The numbers on the map correspond to the ranking of the companies according to the amount of toxic emissions generated.

Company: 1. Reynolds Metals Co. Torrance Can Plant Address: 500 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance Main product: Aluminum cans Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 1,026,665 % change ‘89-’90: +2 Main pollutants emitted: Glycol ethers, n-butyl alcohol Company: 2. Chevron Refinery Address: 324 W. El Segundo Blvd., El Segundo Main product: Petroleum products Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 907,421 % change ‘89-’90: +65 Main pollutants emitted: Ammonia, propylene Company: 3. Shell Oil Co. Address: 20945 S. Wilmington Ave.,Carson Main product: Petroleum products Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 592,110 % change ‘89-’90: +38 Main pollutants emitted: Ammonia, propylene Company: 4. Northrop Aircraft Division (East Complex) Address: 1 Northrop Ave., Hawthorne Main product: Aircraft Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 590,328 % change ‘89-’90: +16 Main pollutants emitted: TCA, tetrachloro-ethylene Company: 5. Douglas Aircraft Co. Address: 19503 S. Normandie Ave., Torrance Main product: Aircraft Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 528,070 % change ‘89-’90: +2 Main pollutants emitted: Trichloro-methane, dichloromethane Company: 6. Arco Products Co./L.A. Refinery Address: 1801 E. Sepulveda Blvd., Carson Main product: Petroleum products Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 472,301 % change ‘89-’90: +5 Main pollutants emitted: Ammonia, toluene Company: 7. Mobil Oil Corp. Torrance Refinery Address: 3700 W. 190th St., Torrance Main product: Petroleum products Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 407,380 % change ‘89-’90: -6 Main pollutants emitted: Ammonia, toluene Company: 8. BP Chemicals Inc. Address: 12333 S. Van Ness Ave., Hawthorne Main product: Fiberglass paneling Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 387,919 % change ‘89-’90: +206 Main pollutants emitted: Styrene, acetone Company: 9. HI-SHEAR Corp. Address: 2600 Skypark Drive, Torrance Main product: Aerospace fasteners Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 312,980 % change ‘89-’90: -35 Main pollutants emitted: TCA Company: 10. Allied-Signal, Airesearch, L.A. Division Address: 2525 W. 190th St., Torrance Main product: Aerospace products Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 256,358 % change ‘89-’90: -48 Main pollutants emitted: TCA, Freon 113 Company: 11. Weslock Co. Address: 13344 S. Main St., Los Angeles Main product: Locks Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 299,850 % change ‘89-’90: +10 Main pollutants emitted: Zinc (fume or dust), copper Company: 12. Dow Chemical Co. Address: 305 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance Main product: Plastics Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 223,101 % change ‘89-’90: -54 Main pollutants emitted: Chloroethane Company: 13. Northrop Aircraft Division (K-8) Address: 540 Hawaii Ave., Torrance Main product: Fuselage coatings Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 202,000 % change ‘89-’90: -4 Main pollutants emitted: Tetrachloro-ethylene Company: 14. Good Tables Inc.* Address: 1118 E. 223rd St., Carson Main product: Furniture Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 176,116 % change ‘89-’90: -34 Main pollutants emitted: Methyl ethyl ketone toluene Company: 15. VISCO Manufacturing Address: 16525 S. Avalon Blvd., Carson Main product: Bedroom furniture Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 163,750 % change ‘89-’90: +74 Main pollutants emitted: TCA, xylene Company: 16. Honeywell Inc., Residential Division* Address: 17300 S. Western Ave., Gardena Main product: Temperature controls Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 155,660 % change ‘89-’90: +34 Main pollutants emitted: Tetrachloro-ethylene Company: 17. Northrop Aircraft Division (Ag Fac) Address: 3201 W. 131st St., Hawthorne Main product: Hydraulic tubing for aircraft Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 153,700 % change ‘89-’90: +505 Main pollutants emitted: TCA Company: 18. Monsanto Co.* Address: 2100 E. 223rd St., Carson Main product: Detergent ingredients Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 151,910 % change ‘89-’90: -15 Main pollutants emitted: Benzene Company: 19. Reliance Upholstery Supply Co. Address: 15700 S. Main St., Gardena Main product: Padding, cushioning Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 133,852 % change ‘89-’90: +8 Main pollutants emitted: TCA dichloromethane Company: 20. WALTCO Engineering Co. Address: 401 W. Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena Main product: Lift gates for trucks Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 132,789 % change ‘89-’90: -46 Main pollutants emitted: TCA * Plant closed

Source: California Environmental Protection Agency