IRTAIRTAIRTA's aims are three-fold:
to help users reduce and eliminate their use of ozone-depleting, chlorinated, voc and toxic solvents and other hazardous substances
to develop, demonstrate and evaluate new materials and processes in specific applications and industries
to work with regulators to ensure sensible policies are implemented
IRTA operates the Pollution Prevention Center. The Center assists firms in solvent pollution prevention, with a focus on identifying, testing, and implementing low- and non-solvent alternatives, as well as demonstrating existing and emerging technologies for reducing or eliminating solvent use. The Center also reaches firms throughout the country by sponsoring industry-specific workshops and producing and distributing informative publications including a quarterly newsletter.
The Pollution Prevention Center provides assistance in the following industries and processes: dry cleaning, electronics, general cleaning, handwipe cleaning, precision cleaning, paint stripping, coatings and adhesives.
IRTA NEWS
IRTA Looking for Chemical Industry Project Participants
IRTA has just initiated a new project in partnership with Cal/EPA’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and EPA Region IX. The project will involve working with the chemical industry to identify, develop, test and demonstrate alternative safer methods of cleaning reactor tanks.
In 1998, the California legislature augmented the state’s Pollution Prevention program at DTSC through a bill called SB 1916. The program involves selecting certain industries every few years for detailed focus to address pollution prevention priorities and promote implementation of source reduction measures. For the FY06/08 cycle of SB 1916, DTSC selected the chemical industry. The project, which has been underway for some time, is a voluntary program and DTSC has established a partnership with the Chemical Industry Council of California (CICC) to find methods of reducing hazardous waste generation and other multimedia releases. DTSC is also designing a new initiative, which will focus on Green Chemistry. The chemical industry has been heavily involved in providing input to DTSC on the design of new Green Chemistry programs.
Major waste generating processes in the chemical industry include cleaning activities like washing out reactor vessels and other production equipment, bottles, glassware, containers and tanks and flushing lines. According to DTSC manifest data for 2004, the industry generated about 88,000 tons of hazardous waste. Spent solvents and aqueous streams together account for 34 percent of the waste and much of these materials are generated from cleaning activities. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) reports that the chemical industry is responsible for 4.6 million pounds of toxic air emissions in 2002. Many of the chemicals that comprise these toxic air emissions are solvents of various types, which are used in cleaning activities.
The IRTA/DTSC/EPA project would involve working with three companies in the chemical industry to find alternative methods of cleaning that lead to lower waste generation and reduced emissions. This project could inform the SB 1916 process and the Green Chemistry initiative. Adoption of safer alternatives could reduce worker exposure, community exposure and could end up reducing costs.
IRTA is seeking volunteer companies for the project. IRTA would like to work with chemical producers, refineries or pharmaceutical manufacturers as part of the project. The best candidate operations would be those that are used by a number of different companies. Adoption of the alternatives by one of the candidate companies would then benefit other companies with similar operations.
Green Chemistry and Pollution Prevention are becoming increasingly important in California. Companies that participate in the project can benefit in several ways. First, the company could end up using a safer alternative and might save money on emissions and hazardous waste disposal fees. Second, the company would be viewed as progressive and could derive a positive public relations benefit for collaborative work with government agencies.
Companies interested in participating in the project should contact Katy Wolf at IRTA at (818) 244-0300.
IRTA has completed a Spotting Chemical Fact Sheet.
Click for a PDF containing information on the hazards and safer alternatives.
IRTA Resources
Contact IRTA
Institute for Research and Technical Assistance
230 N. Maryland Ave., Suite 103
Glendale, CA 91206
phone (818)244-0300 fax (818)244-0396