Local Firms Cut Air Pollution in 1991, Data Shows : Environment: Records reveal a 20% drop in toxic emissions by manufacturers compared to 1990. Some analysts credit plant closings and the recession.
Manufacturing concerns in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas last year cut their toxic air emissions, but analysts said the change reflected plant closings and the economic slump, as well as pollution control gains.
Some 3.98 million pounds of toxic compounds were vented to the air in 1991 by more than 100 manufacturers in the Valley, upwind in eastern Ventura County, and in the Glendale area, according to reports filed by the firms with the government. That was 20% less than in 1990, when chemical emissions totaled 5 million pounds.
In a separate tabulation, 10 manufacturing firms in the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys last year discharged an estimated 376,635 pounds of toxic air contaminants--about 13% less than in 1990.
The emissions included chemicals that form smog, that are suspected of causing cancer or reproductive harm, and that deplete the ozone layer that screens out harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The figures were compiled by The Times from data furnished by each company to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its state counterpart, the California EPA. The companies are required to file the annual reports under a federal “community right-to-know” law that has given the public unprecedented access to data on industrial use and disposal of more than 300 toxic substances.
The local decreases are consistent with wider trends for Los Angeles County and the rest of California, according to state EPA figures. In Los Angeles County, manufacturers reported 22 million pounds of toxic air emissions in 1991, down from 31.2 million pounds in 1990. In a similar reduction, the statewide total fell to 62.3 million pounds from a 1990 figure of 80.6 million pounds.
“We’re pleased to see a continuing downward trend in air releases,” said Bill Glenn, a spokesman for the U.S. EPA’s western regional office in San Francisco.
“An increasing number of companies in California have committed to source reduction and pollution prevention measures,” Glenn said. “I think we’re starting to see some of the results.”
Others stressed the difficulty of interpreting the numbers, and pointed out that some of the improvements exist only on paper.
Stephen D. Hanna, chief of environmental information for the California EPA, said fewer firms filed reports for 1991 than for 1990, and that late reports may still reduce the difference between the two periods. However, the drop in firms reporting is not so great as the drop in reported emissions.
Analysts also cited the recession, pointing out that less production means less chemical use and fewer emissions into the air.
Others said some firms reporting lower emissions have merely improved their estimating techniques.
Charlie Botsford, chief of regulatory assessment for AeroVironment Inc., an environmental consulting firm, said many companies in past years overestimated emissions, and now are refining their estimates in response to community concern and negative publicity.
In the past, he said, plant officials, to save time, often counted all chemicals they purchased as emissions to the air--when calculations would have shown that not all of the chemicals actually evaporated.
Although some companies really are cleaning up their acts, lower emission numbers are also a product of more accurate reporting and the slow economy, Botsford said.
Economic factors have played a key role in the Valley, where two firms that were formerly the area’s biggest polluters--and also among the biggest in the state--now have ceased operations.
One of these is General Motors’ Van Nuys auto assembly plant, which continued to top the list in 1991 with estimated emissions of 427,858 pounds. This, however, was a sharp reduction from 1990, when the total was 606,485 pounds. And it was vastly better than 1989, when the GM plant, with 1.93 million pounds, was the second biggest polluter in the state.
The auto plant shut its doors in August.
Lockheed Corp.’s Burbank complex was another leading polluter, with more than 1 million pounds of emissions in 1988 and more than 150,000 pounds in 1990. But the company has transferred production to Palmdale and Georgia, and emissions dropped to 66,000 pounds in 1991.
Altogether, 10 Valley-area companies in 1991 reported releasing emissions of at least 100,000 pounds--50 tons--of toxic air pollution--a reduction from 16 firms in 1990.
Although the annual reports contain some seemingly impressive numbers, experts say they tell nothing of possible health risks, which depend on such factors as weather, proximity of residents and the potency and concentrations of the particular compounds.
Another problem in analyzing the reports is that they cover but a tiny fraction of air pollution, much of which comes from vehicle tailpipes. On top of that, the reporting requirement exists only for manufacturers that exceed a threshold number of employees and volume of chemical use. Whole categories of big polluters are excluded, including agriculture, electric utilities, fuel and chemical storage operations and government installations.
Still, regulators and environmentalists say the reports are a useful barometer of air quality trends. A side benefit, they say, is that the process encourages companies to cut pollution--if only to keep their names out of the paper.
Under a separate program run by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, scores of companies--including some in the Valley--have been required to prepare risk assessments on their toxic emissions. These assessments are meant to determine if the plants pose a potential threat to the health of workers or neighbors.
The risk assessments are now being reviewed by state health officials. Companies found to pose a health risk--including a cancer risk of at least 1 in 100,000--will have to provide warning notices to their neighbors. Air district officials said the first notices are expected to go out by the end of March.
Toxic Air Emissions
Chart shows total emissions for more than 100 manufacturers in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys, as well as eastern Ventura County and Glendale areas. Figures are based on the companies’ own estimates of their emissions and are contained in annual reports filed with the U.S. and California environmental protection agencies. In million of pounds
1989: 7.49
1990: 5.45
1991: 4.35
Largest Emitters of Airborne Toxic Chemicals
San Fernando Valley-Glendale-Eastern Ventura County areas for 1991
Est. emissions Rank Company Main business in lbs.* 1 General Motors Auto assembly 427,858(-) Van Nuys 2 Crown Beverage Packaging Aluminum cans 323,000(-) Van Nuys 3 Rockwell Intl. Aerospace/defense 300,705(-) Rocketdyne Div. 6633 Canoga Ave. Canoga Park 4 Easton Aluminum Sporting goods 286,020(+) Van Nuys 5 American National Can Aluminum cans 139,712(+) Chatsworth 6 Nelson Name Plate Name tags, etching 117,329(-) 3191 Casitas Ave. Los Angeles 7 New Hampshire Ball bearings 116,473(-) Ball Bearings, Chatsworth 8 Menasco Inc. Aircraft components 116,355(-) Burbank 9 Remo Inc. Percussion instruments 107,290(-) North Hollywood 10 Price Pfister Faucets, plumbing 85,198(+) Pacoima fixtures 11 Courtaulds Aerospace Sealants 84,728(-) Glendale 12 Valley Todeco Aircraft fasteners, 80,875(-) Sylmar bearings 13 Fortin Industries Electronic components 79,650(+) North Hollywood 14 Anthony Mfg. Co. Freezer, refrigerator 79,000(+) San Fernando doors 15 Pacific Steel Treating Heat treating steel 76,000(+) North Hollywood 16 Crane Co., Aircraft components 69,402(-) Hydro-Aire Div., Burbank 17 Lockheed Corp. Defense/aerospace 66,000(-) Burbank 18 Wambold Furniture Oak furniture 65,474(+) Simi Valley 19 The Marquardt Co. Defense/aerospace 62,728(-) Van Nuys 20 3M Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals 62,316 Northridge
Rank Company Main compounds emitted 1 General Motors xylene, TCA, Van Nuys glycol ethers 2 Crown Beverage Packaging glycol ethers, Van Nuys n-butyl alcohol 3 Rockwell Intl. TCA, PCE Rocketdyne Div. 6633 Canoga Ave. Canoga Park 4 Easton Aluminum TCA Van Nuys 5 American National Can glycol ethers, Chatsworth n-butyl alcohol 6 Nelson Name Plate TCA 3191 Casitas Ave. Los Angeles 7 New Hampshire Freon 113, TCA Ball Bearings, Chatsworth 8 Menasco Inc. TCA, methylene Burbank chloride 9 Remo Inc. methylene chloride North Hollywood TCA 10 Price Pfister TCA, methylene Pacoima chloride 11 Courtaulds Aerospace TCA Glendale 12 Valley Todeco PCE Sylmar 13 Fortin Industries acetone, ethylene glycol North Hollywood 14 Anthony Mfg. Co. TCA San Fernando 15 Pacific Steel Treating PCE North Hollywood 16 Crane Co., Freon 113, TCA Hydro-Aire Div., Burbank 17 Lockheed Corp. TCA, PCE Burbank 18 Wambold Furniture TCA Simi Valley 19 The Marquardt Co. TCA Van Nuys 20 3M Pharmaceuticals CFC-12, Northridge methylene chloride
* Based on estimates filed by companies with U.S and California environmental protection agencies. (+) means companies increased emissions in 1991 over 1990 levels. (-) means emissions declined.
Largest Emitters of Airborne Toxic Chemicals
Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys for 1991 Rank: 1 Company: Polycarbon Inc., Santa Clarita Main business: Carbon graphite products Est. emissions in lbs.*: 142,330(+) Main compounds emitted: TCA, perchloroethylene
Rank: 2 Company: American Cyanamid, Santa Clarita Main business: Aerospace composites Est. emissions in lbs.*: 63,690(-) Main compounds emitted: acetone, methylene chloride
Rank: 3 Company: Novacap, Santa Clarita Main business: Ceramic chip capacitors Est. emissions in lbs.*: 58,000(+) Main compounds emitted: TCA * Based on estimates filed by companies with U.S and California environmental protection agencies. (+) means emissions increased in 1991 over 1990 levels. (-) means emissions declined.
Toxic Chemicals and Their Effects
Compounds emitted to the air in the largest volumes by L.A. area manufacturers. Chemical: 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Human and Environmental Effect: TCA for short. Clear liquid used to degrease metal and clean electronic parts, among other things. Fairly low in toxicity, in that high dose is needed to cause immediate effects. Concentrated exposure can irritate the eyes and lungs, and affect the heartbeat and central nervous system. Workers have died from high exposure in enclosed spaces. No link with cancer has been proved in limited animal tests. TCA depletes the ozone shield that screens the sun’s harmful rays. Chemical: Methylene Chloride Human and Environmental Effect: Clear liquid used as paint stripper, metal degreaser and in adhesives, foam and plastics processing. Common ingredient in paint strippers sold to consumers. Irritates skin and in high concentrations affects heart and central nervous system. Considered a probable human carcinogen, based on animal tests. Chemical: Freon 113 Human and Environmental Effect: Odorless, colorless gas used as a blowing agent in foam manufacture, as refrigerant and cleaning solvent. Widely used due to its low toxicity, although high levels can cause eye, nose and throat irritation and asphyxia. Strong ozone depleter. Chemical: Perchloroethylene Human and Environmental Effect: Also known as PCE or tetrachloroethylene. Used in metal drying and degreasing. Also widely used dry-cleaning chemical. Detected in many local drinking water supplies due to ground-water seepage. Moderately toxic. Workplace exposure has resulted in liver, kidney and central nervous system effects. Considered probable human carcinogen, based on animal tests. Chemical: Acetone Human and Environmental Effect: Flammable liquid used as fingernail polish remover; also to make chemicals, remove paint and clean and dry precision equipment. Toxicity is low, but at high levels it can irritate the nose and throat and cause lightheadedness. Reacts in sunlight to create smog. Chemical: Ammonia Human and Environmental Effect: Colorless liquid or gas with irritating odor used as a household cleaner, as a refrigerant, in metal treating and synthetic fibers. Concentrated fumes can cause severe irritation to eyes and lungs. Chemical: Styrene Human and Environmental Effect: Flammable, usually colorless, oily liquid with pungent odor used in manufacture of plastics and resins. One of the most heavily used chemicals in the U.S. Can irritate eyes, nose and throat. Vapors contribute to smog. Suspected carcinogen. Chemical: Methyl Ethyl Ketone Human and Environmental Effect: MEK for short. Solvent used to make paints, paint removers, adhesives, drugs, cosmetics and artificial leather. Explosion hazard. Concentrated exposure can cause dizziness, headaches and blurred vision. Chronic, low-level exposure can cause decreased memory and slow reflexes. May cause reproductive harm, based on animal studies. Chemical: Toluene Human and Environmental Effect: Flammable liquid used as a gasoline additive and in making inks, detergents and pharmaceuticals. Skin and eye irritant. Chronic exposure may cause anemia, damage to liver, kidneys and central nervous system. Contributes to smog. May be toxic to fetus. Chemical: Xylene Human and Environmental Effect: Flammable liquid used in fuels, lacquers and such household products as glues, fingernail polish and rubber cement. Can irritate eyes, nose and throat. Chronic exposure can damage the liver and central nervous system. Fatalities have resulted from breathing intense concentrations. Vapors contribute to smog. Chemical: Glycol Ethers Human and Environmental Effect: Used in resins, paints, dyes, cosmetics and brake fluids. Concentrated exposure can cause nausea, headaches and kidney damage. Studies suggest it may cause reproductive harm. Chemical: n-Butyl Alcohol Human and Environmental Effect: Flammable liquid used as a solvent in manufacture of resins, varnishes, detergents and lacquers. Can cause skin, eye and throat irritation.
