The Road To Clean aiR - LA Differentiated

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j N Results Barring air toxics c > The advocacy efforts of the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) led the the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to ban the use of dimethyl carbonate (DMC)—a known volatile organic compound (VOC) and developmental toxin—in a wide variety of industrial, janitorial and consumer cleaning products. Despite serious health concerns and a lack of health impact research, DMC was being promoted as an alternative to similar chemicals currently regulated. CCA mobilized the environmental community and urged the SCAQMD to delay the allowed use of DMC until the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment performs a more thorough evaluation of all the toxicity data available. Cutting smog The SCAQMD also voted to limit the amounts of VOCs in consumer and industrial products. This rule was a success for air quality and public health in Southern California, as it promises to reduce dangerous emissions. The California Air Resources Board followed suit by capping VOC emissions and reducing the use of three dangerous chemicals—perchloroethylene, methylene chloride and trichloroethylene—in multipurpose solvents and paint thinners. “Precedent-setting regulations such as these will supply consumers with the safer products they demand,” said Luis Cabrales, CCA’s deputy director of campaigns. “Our long-term goal is to see other states adopt similar VOC guidelines on consumer products to protect workers and consumers nationwide.” Currently, multipurpose solvents and paint thinners evaporate and emit up to 98% percent of their dangerous content into the air. By 2013, these emissions will be capped at 3%. This regulation will result in one of the state’s largest reductions of VOCs from consumer products when fully implemented in 2014. Deputy Director of Campaigns Luis Cabrales, who spearheads CCA’s work on toxics, is interviewed by Spanish language television network Azteca América “ When I first started working [as a car washer], I began to notice personal health impacts: the spilled degreasing soap ate a hole through my shirt and burned my torso; the fumes from inhaling the air fresheners make it hard for me to breathe; and I continuously have itchy eyes and rashes on my hands from the products I use daily. Thanks to organizations such as CCA...the SCAQMD has committed to reducing almost 10 tons of airborne chemicals per day, protecting the health of millions of consumers. ” — Eduardo Gonzalez, member, Carwash Workers Organizing Committee of the United Steelwokers Coalition for Clean Air 2009 Annual Report
c > current campaigns Ports & freight transport Cleaning up the ships, trucks and trains that deliver pollution Coalition for Clean Air 2009 Annual Report
Page 1 and 2: The Road to Clean Air 2 0 0 9 A n n
Page 3 and 4: Message from the board chair To our
Page 5 and 6: j N current campaigns VOCs in cons
Page 7: j N The Coalition for Clean Air (CC
Page 11 and 12: j N c > Solutions Paving the way f
Page 13 and 14: current campaigns San Joaquin Valle
Page 15 and 16: Advocates Q&A with our Valley team
Page 17 and 18: current campaigns The climate crisi
Page 19 and 20: j N c > Solutions AB 1405: protect
Page 21 and 22: c > current campaigns Vehicles & tr
Page 23 and 24: j N c > Solutions CCA releases cle
Page 25 and 26: current campaigns Clean energy for
Page 27 and 28: Event highlights In 2009 the Coalit
Page 29 and 30: Supporters The Coalition for Clean
Page 31: Board of directors Staff www.coalit

The Road To Clean aiR - LA Differentiated

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