PARTNERS IN PREVENTION
Degreasing Project Shows Safer Alternatives Work Last summer, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Air Quality Program partnered with the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) on the “Degreasing Project.” The project assessed grease-cleaning products used at auto shops and encouraged shops to switch to degreasers that are better for employee health and the overall air quality of Leech Lake. Many degreasing products used in auto shops, such as brake cleaners and parts washer solvent, contain harmful chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Spraying VOCs to clean car parts contributes to groundlevel ozone, which makes the air harder to breathe, aggravates asthma and other lung conditions and increases the risk of premature death for those with heart and lung diseases. Exposure to VOCs can cause a range of health effects, from irritating the eyes, nose and throat to other serious illnesses. Some VOCs are suspected or proven carcinogens. It can be extremely challenging for the average consumer to make a good decision about what is a safer product. The chemistry in degreasers varies greatly from can to can. Cans may look identical and have the same product name. Anthony Mazzini, a Minnesota Green Corps member, made connections with auto shops and worked with them through the process. Aerosol degreasers First, Mazzini assisted shops in assessing their current aerosol degreasers. If a safer alternative was recommended, a shop received a few options to sample. Shops that identified an effective alternative and were willing to switch were offered a month’s supply to get them started. Safer products were sourced from local Auto Value, Napa and O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. Degreasers with blends of acetone, heptane and hydrotreated light petroleum naptha were tested
as replacements for more hazardous blends containing xylene, toluene, PERC, TCE and methanol. One lesson learned was that it’s important to check the fine print – the parts number – to make sure you’re getting the product you want. Parts Washers Two styles of parts washer were demonstrated as alternatives to solvent-based parts washer. The SmartWasher Parts Washer uses OzzyJuice, an aqueous cleaning solution that uses microbes to break down grease and oil into carbon dioxide and water. By breaking down oil, the microbes “clean” the solution and extend its lifespan. If properly managed, aqueous parts washers can reduce hazardous waste licensing and disposal costs. For requirements on evaluating, storing and disposing spent aqueous-based parts washer solution, see Minnesota Pollution Control Agency factsheet Aqueous-Based Parts Washers, w-hw4-44, at pca.state. mn.us/sites/default/files/w-hw4-44. pdf. Ultrasonic parts washers use cavitation, or scubbing bubbles, to remove grease from parts. Ultrasonics can be added to cleaning systems, aqueous or otherwise, to increase cleaning effectiveness. They range in size from countertop to large industrial units and are effective for many kinds of general parts cleaning. The Results Overall, 13 out of 21 auto shops switched to a safer alternative degreaser. The Leech Lake Community Service Garage found a low VOC brake cleaner that worked similarly to their current high VOC brake cleaner. They also implemented a CRC SmartWasher with OzzyJuice formulation SW7. They were able to achieve a higher level of cleanliness for their customers and reduce their brake cleaner
VOC and HAP reductions at Community Service Garage
16 | December 2021
AASP-MN News
consumption by 80 percent. Less brake cleaner also means less cans in the garbage, reducing the pounds of solid waste sent to landfill. “The parts washer works wonders. I barely use the [brake cleaner] spray cans and I like the parts washer better,” said Rupert Olsen, a technician at the Community Service Garage. “[Spray can] fumes are nasty. I take parts off, clean them up in the parts washer, and a little water cleans them right up.” Other participants noted about safer degreasers, “My hands didn’t dry up as much” and “It didn’t smell as much.” The Community Service Garage reduced their annual VOCs and HAPs emissions by 56 pounds and 22 pounds respectively. That is about the same amount of pollution that comes from using one can of spray paint per week. Just one shop can see a dramatic difference in the amount of pollutants it puts into the air. Find an alternative for your shop The degreasing project shows that effective, safer degreasers are available. If you’d like to investigate your cleaners to see if there is a safer alternative, MnTAP offers no-cost technical assistance to small and medium-size Minnesota businesses. Call Jane Paulson at (612) 624-1826 or e-mail janep2@umn.edu. Visit MnTAP’s website to find safer products and ingredients to avoid at mntap.umn.edu/industries/air/ degreasing.html. For more information on Leech Lakes’ air quality projects, contact Brandy Toft at brandy.toft@llojibwe. net. Disclaimer: Mentioning products in this article does not imply MPCA endorsement. Product selection and use should be evaluated by the facility on a case-by-case basis.
