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JAN 12 1993 BOOK 88 FADE 519.8 Cleaner processes, new chemicals help firms By Wevoaneda Minis FLORIDA TODAY Brevard firms cut toxic emis- sions by 30 percent within a year, according to the Florida Depart- ment epartment of Community Affairs. "We have been encouraged by a downward trend In chemicals being emitted to the air, land and water," said Carl Terry, an Envi- ronmental Protection Agency spokesman in Atlanta. "We are encouraging all companies that process these chemicals to seek reductions." The agency's education blitz since 1988 and establishment of a cut pollution practices accounted for most emission reductions it Brevard plants. But In some Instances, companies substituted less-pollut- Ing chemicals In their manufac- turing processes. qP—Countywlde,-four of thi"Ilve Itop toxic -chemical polluters cut e Vthelr missiohs. Only Macho Products of Palm Bay, a man- rufacturer of protective gear forA is martial arts practice, Increased i,emissions. Macho replaced Sea "Ray Boats as the county's No. 1 polluter. ) .. Macho, Sea Ray Boats on ENVIRONMENT pollution prevention office to work with Industry for voluntary pollution reduction appear to be paying off, Terry said. Emission reductions are ex- pected from firms that released 20,1100 pounds or more of any chemical listed in the Superfund Amendments unit Reauthorizd- tion Act of 1988. In 1991, the last year for which state figures are available, Bre- vard plants discharged 911,484 pounds of chemicals Into the air, land and water. Federal figures will be released lin 1993. Ideally, the companies reduce emissions by adopting cleaner manufacturing- practices, Terry said. "What we would like to see Is pollution prevention." Recently, Harris Corp. of Mel bourne and Palm Bay and Mc --1 Donnell Douglas of Titusville announced they have Joined al voluntary EPA program to cut i current emissions --one-third by Dec. 31, and in halt by Dec. 31,' 1999. The program targhts emis. t sions of the 17 most worrisome, often carcinogenic, chemicals. Tightened manulatturing Merritt Island, Advanced Quick - Circuits in Melbourne, Harris Corp. and McDonnell Douglas relPgsed 74 percent of the toxic chemicals emitted In the county, according to data from the state Department of Community Affairs. i ( Macho Products emitted 321,800 pounds of toxic chemicals in 1991;• X increasing its emissions by 9,254 pounds over 1990.) - ( Richard Hathaway, Macho's sys- tems' manager, said nc. eased pro- duction accounts for the increase in emissions. ) What the figures don't show, Hathaway said, is that the company has cut the amount of emissions produced per article manufactured. "We've been able to hold the line on emissions by using less solvent per unit." Hathaway 'said. The company has found water-based substitutes for some solvents — particularly those It uses to apply finishes to its products. Macho plans to further reduce Its emissions, Hathaway said. i The company plans to do that by building a factory capable of cap- turing and destroying toxic emis- sions during manufacturing, Hathaway said. They are looking at potential- sites in Brevard and Indian River counties COMMON NAME: TOLUENE CAS NUMBER: - - 108-88-3 DOT NUMBER: UN 1294 HAZARD SUMMARY Toluene can affect you when breathed in. to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and to pass and by passing through your skin. out. Death can occur. Toluene may cause mutations. Handle * Repeated exposures can damage bone mar - with extreme caution, row causing low blood cell count. It It may damage the developing fetus. can also damage the liver and kidneys. Toluene is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID and a * Toluene can cause slowed reflexes, FIRE HAZARD. trouble concentrating, and headaches. Exposure can irritate the nose, throat, * Prolonged contact can cause a skin and eyes. Higher levels can cause you rash. 34