Solvents used in cleaning, painting, printing and other activities in the Southland region of California emit 331 tons of smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOC) each day, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). This is 27 percent of the daily total of 1,240 tons of VOC emissions in the region.

According to a recent AQMD ruling, area businesses have until January 1999 to switch from petroleum-based solvents and cleaning products to water-based cleaners in their parts washers and machine shops. The same ruling also creates an incentive for businesses to use a special category of AQMD-certified cleaners called Clean Air Solvents. These solvents must meet even stricter requirements than the rule for volatility and smog-forming potential.

Bio T General Purpose Cleaner is one of only 38 products to be certified as a Clean Air Solvent by the AQMD, according to Sean Sears, BioChem research and development chemist. Business that use Clean Air Solvents, like Bio T General Purpose Cleaner, will be exempt from record-keeping requirements and emissions fees under AQMD rules covering solvent cleaning operations. They will also be exempt from AQMD's rules for solvent degreasers.

The San Diego County Air Quality Board has just certified Bio T General Purpose Cleaner and Bio T Max and 300B (if diluted with water) as Clean Air Solvents. Users are not required to operate under an Air Quality Board permit and a are exempt from VOC reporting requirements.

Ed McCauley, owner of MAMCO International, BioChem's West Coast distributor, was on top of this landmark decision in California. McCauley immediately recognized BioChem's General Purpose Cleaner was up to the challenge of AQMD's exacting standards for Clean Air Solvents. MAMCO worked closely with AQMD throughout the certification process and continues to pursue certification for Bio T Max (a concentrated version of General Purpose Cleaner).

Under the scrutiny of an independent laboratory, General Purpose Cleaner met and/or exceeded AQMD requirements for Clean Air Solvents:

• 50 grams per liter or less of smog-forming volatile organic compounds.
• Less reactive to the atmosphere than toluene.
• No toxic constituents.
• No ingredients that contribute to global warming or deplete the earth's protective ozone layer, which filters out harmful Solar radiation.
• A low vapor pressure.
• A relatively low smog formation rate.

The certification is valid through the year 2002 and can be renewed based on recertification by AQMD.

"We want to encourage technological solutions such as 'Clean Air Solvents'," says Barry Wallerstein, AQMD acting executive officer. He believes the new ruling presents a win-win opportunity. It will help clean the air and save business money at the same time.

"Water-based cleaners are cheaper than petroleum-based solvents," he says, "and business could save thousands of dollars in disposal fees because a portion of used water-based solvents may not need to be disposed of as hazardous waste."

An AQMD analysis estimates that the net savings to area businesses from switching to water-based cleaners will be approximately $4 million to 45 million a year.

"Bio T General Purpose Cleaner is a good replacement for mineral spirits, which emits about 800 grams per liter VOC for cold cleaning operations," says Sears. "Petroleum-based solvents like mineral spirits contain VOCs that combine with nitrogen to form harmful ground-level ozone."

General Purpose Cleaner is biodegradable, non-toxic, non-corrosive and free of petroleum distillates. It is a responsible alternative to dangerous and environmentally harmful products, and is available in convenient one-gallon jugs, five-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums. General Purpose Cleaner is ready to use right out of the container on many tough cleaning tasks, but can also be diluted with water if necessary.