[pct-l] SCAQMD Rule 1143 & Denatured Alcohol Question

[Bob Bankhead]

Yet another example of poor judgment by California officials. Your tax
dollars at work.



-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Donna Saufley
Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 12:48 PM
To: pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] SCAQMD Rule 1143 & Denatured Alcohol Question

This morning we stopped by our local hardware store.  The owner Trish, who
has done countless kindnesses for hikers including donating denatured
alcohol, gave us her last three cans and told us she will not be able to
order any more.  She said South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule
1143 is the reason;  it bans numerous paint solvents within their district
boundaries  www.aqmd.gov/news1/2009/Rule1143PR.html   

 

According to their map, www.aqmd.gov/map/mapaqmd1.pdf the PCT goes through
SCAQMD boundardies from San Bernardino to where the trail meets the Mojave
floor at Hwy 138.  "Rule 1143 - Reduction of VOC Emissions from Consumer
Paint Thinners and Multi-Purpose Solvents establishes an interim VOC limit
of 300 grams/liter (g/l,) effective January 1, 2010, and a VOC limit of 25
g/l effective January 1, 2011, for all consumer paint thinners and
multi-purpose solvents."

 

The denatured alcohol we've been using (the cans Trish just donated) is VOC:
815 g/L, obviously way in excess of the new limit within the district.  Can
anyone verify the VOC of Heet?  Or know if the new lower VOC products will
work in stoves?

 

It sounds like SCAQMD is acting as environmental leaders with this rule, and
I have not heard that denatured and other solvents will be banned in other
areas.  Imagining enforcement on the PCT is difficult.  However, hikers may
not be able to buy denatured at resupply locations within the district, and
other regions may be considering similar bans.

 

L-Rod