What are Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Hazardous
Air Pollutants (HAPs)?
Ozone is a poisonous gas made up of three oxygen
molecules. A thin layer of ozone high up in
the stratosphere absorbs all but a small fraction
of the harmful ultraviolet rays (UV-B) coming from
the Sun. Without this protection, life on
earth as we know it would be impossible. Ozone
Depleting Substances (ODS) are known as halocarbons
compounds containing chlorine, fluorine, bromine
carbon, hydrogen such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
or Freon. When released into the atmosphere
they eventually reach the stratosphere where they
are broken apart by solar radiation to release chlorine
atoms. The chlorine reacts strongly with the
ozone molecules, forming chlorine oxide. The
chlorine oxide is broken down again by solar radiation
and the re-released chlorine atoms attack more ozone
molecules. If we do not reduce the release
of ODSs, eventually the protective ozone layer will
no longer be able to absorb the harmful UV-B rays
with disastrous consequences for mankind.
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) are those pollutants
that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other
serious health effects, such as reproductive effects
or birth defects, or adverse environmental effects.
Examples of toxic air pollutants include benzene,
which is found in gasoline; perchlorethlyene, which
is emitted from some dry cleaning facilities; methyl
ethyl ketone, which is used a solvent: and methylene
chloride, which is used as a solvent and paint stripper
by a number of industries. There are 189 HAPs
listed in the Clean Air Act of 1990. You can
find the complete list of HAPs at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/orig189.html.
What are the Montreal Protocol,
Clean Air Act and NESHAPs?
In 1987, under the auspices of the United Nations,
46 nations signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The Protocol
required parties to either make sharply reduce or
freeze production and consumption of various Ozone
Depleting Substances. Additional ODSs were
added in various amendments during sessions in London
(1990), Copenhagen (1992) Montreal (1997) and Beijing
(1999).
The Clean Air Act of 1990 was passed to address
the various types and sources of air pollution in
the United States including smog (ground level ozone)
and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). It gave
authority to the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to set limits on how much of a pollutant can
be in the air anywhere in the United States.
Each state has to develop plans to meet these limits
or face sanctions and fines by the Federal Government.
One of the ways the EPA is working to reduce HAPs
is through National Emission Standards for Hazardous
Air Pollutants (NESHAPs). The EPA identifies
major emitters of HAPs by industry and issues a
comprehensive set of regulations to reduce emissions
in that industry on a national basis. Examples
would be the Aerospace NESHAP or the Printing/Publishing
NESHAP.
SNAP stands for Significant New Alternatives Program.
This is a program run by the EPA to identify substitutes
for Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). Substitutes
are reviewed on the basis of ozone depletion potential,
global warming potential, toxicity, flammability,
and exposure potential.
Why do the DS-Series Solvents
comply with these environmental regulations?
The DS-Series Solvents contain no Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS) or Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP).
Additionally, with vapor pressures under 7 mm Hg,
DS-104, DS-108 DS-144 comply with the most desirable
classification under the Aerospace NESHAP.
The remainder of the DS-Series Solvents fall in
the <45 mm Hg composite vapor pressure category
which also comply.
DS-104, DS-108 and DS-144 are available in 55-gallon
drums, 5-gallon jerricans, 4 x 1-gallon cases, 1-gallon,
24 x 16 oz cases and a 4 x 16 oz case. DS-801,
H901A and 3101 are available in 55-gallon drums,
5-gallon and 1-gallon cans. All our solvents
are also available in Contec® presaturated wipers.
Are the DS-Series Solvents classified as Hazardous
Materials for transportation?
DS-104, DS-108 and DS-144 are not regulated for
ground transportation in North America. DS-104
and DS-108 are classified as Flammable Liquids for
transport by Air or Ocean. DS-801, H901A and
3101 are classified as Flammable Liquids for all
means of transportation.
