IRVINE : Free Environmental Advice for Businesses

Businesses looking for ways to reduce use of hazardous chemicals now can take advantage of a free city environmental hot line funded in part through a state grant.

The hot line will be answered by a city environmental expert who will be available to evaluate manufacturing processes at businesses and recommend ways to reduce the use of toxic chemicals, said Michael S. Brown, Irvine’s environmental manager.

The $25,000 state grant has also allowed the city to train planners and building inspectors to identify the types of businesses that would be candidates for changing manufacturing processes to newer, less-toxic methods, which could save businesses money in the long run, Brown said. When the grant expires this summer, Irvine probably will continue the program with city funds, he added.

The hot line will be answered by Joe Farber, an environmental expert who helps city businesses comply with a new city law that prohibits businesses from using ozone-depleting chemicals if there is a feasible alternative.

Farber will also advise businesses on how to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, Brown said.

Although there will not be a city requirement to find non-polluting manufacturing processes, Brown said, businesses will have strong motives to adopt less-polluting methods.

Use of hazardous materials by businesses is covered by numerous federal, state and county environmental laws, Brown said. When amounts of chemicals reach a certain level, businesses must report it to the Orange County Fire Department. Laws might also require special storage facilities.

Worker-safety laws might require that employees receive special training to use the chemicals. And if the chemical is emitted into the air, Brown said, the South Coast Air Quality Management District charges a pollution fee.

Further, if the chemical is known to cause cancer, the state requires a notice to the public, Brown said, and companies must treat the byproducts of the chemicals and find a legal way to dispose of them. If the chemicals are disposed of off site, the state charges a fee, he said.

“And if you treat it off site, you need a very expensive permit from the state,” Brown said. “The regulations never stop.”

Farber will be able to analyze a company’s manufacturing process and suggest alternatives. The city will keep what it learns about businesses confidential.

“We’re offering a way to do something when no one’s looking over your shoulder telling you how to do it or requiring you to file forms,” Brown said. “You’re doing it because you have an economic interest in running a business. If you can find a better way to run your business, why not do it?It’s a competitive world out there.”

Some businesses in Irvine have switched over to using nontoxic methods and have found that the initial investment pays off in other savings, Brown said.

Even though Irvine’s environmental advice will be free, Brown said, he is not expecting businesses to rush in to sign up for an evaluation.

“The adage, ‘Hi, I’m here from the government and I’m here to help you’ is usually a joke,” Brown said. “To some extent, we’ll have to prove ourselves. But we’re a free pair of eyes and ears and smarts that companies can use to do research and identify some opportunities. We can do all this work for them and they don’t have to use it. There’s no obligation here. But what we think will happen is it will make sense for them to use it.”

The environmental hot line number is (714) 724-6235.