Breath Easy; Locally, the Air Is Getting Cleaner : Pollution: Most manufacturers have cut significantly the amount of contaminants released into the atmosphere, and they plan to continue the effort.

Unlike neighboring regions to the east, north and south, the Westside is relatively free of toxic emissions from manufacturers, and it is getting steadily cleaner, according to a Times survey of the area’s largest polluters.

Manufacturing firms throughout Southern California last year legally discharged more than 50 million pounds of toxic compounds into the air. Among them were 110 manufacturers that reported releasing 100,000 pounds or more of toxic contaminants, or 50 tons apiece.

The figures, compiled by The Times from reports by more than 1,100 businesses, show that large volumes of chemical waste continue to be vented to the air.

On the Westside, however, only 17 companies emitted enough pollutants into the air to require filing the reports, and only one--McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co.--released more than 100,000 pounds. In all, about 570,000 pounds of pollutants were reported released into the air in 1990, a 5% drop from 1989, according to records on file with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In fact, McDonnell Douglas Helicopter has lowered emissions significantly over the last few years by improving environmental control measures and shifting about 15% to 20% of its local manufacturing operation to its headquarters in Mesa, Ariz.

Nearly every other company on the Westside that filed the EPA reports has taken steps to reduce its emissions too, mostly by switching to less toxic chemicals, upgrading emissions equipment or investing in equipment that traps the emissions before they are released into the air. At least one, Garrett Thermal Systems Division, moved to Mexico, and the Hercules Inc. plant in Culver City closed in mid-1990.

All manufacturing companies using 10,000 pounds of any reportable substance that causes toxic fumes are required to report their emissions under the “community right-to-know” law adopted by Congress in the wake of the deadly chemical disaster at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India.

The law requires manufacturing firms to provide the EPA with annual reports on transfers and releases of about 340 hazardous compounds.

Although the chemicals emitted on the Westside could contribute to smog, possibly cause cancer and deplete the Earth’s protective ozone layer, they are being discharged in such small quantities that experts say the results are probably negligible.

The Westside “generally has lower toxic air emissions than some of the other areas of the basin, which have significant manufacturing industries,” said Barry Wallerstein, assistant deputy executive officer for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the agency that monitors the Los Angeles region’s pollutants and air quality.

Under a 1987 law called the Air Toxics Hotspots Information and Assessment Act, companies are required to estimate toxic emissions and perform a risk assessment to quantify the public health risks. That information is passed along to AQMD, which is compiling the statistics and expects to release the results in early December, Wallerstein said. Companies that present significant risks will also be required to notify the public starting next year.

When it comes to overall air pollution, the Westside is on a par with other areas of Southern California. Gas stations and motor vehicles send toxic pollutants into the air, as do the hundreds of dry-cleaning shops, according to Tim Little, executive director for the Venice-based Coalition for Clean Air.

But when it comes to pollution from manufacturers, “certainly the Westside is way cleaner--we don’t have a lot of industry here,” Little said. “Generally we’re in much better shape here than a lot of other places.”

Little also said that the Westside’s proximity to the ocean and its sea breezes help keep the area free of toxic pollutants by blowing them inland or out to sea.

Most Westside companies are lowering their toxic emissions voluntarily, even if there are no regulations forcing them to do so, Little said. Some are doing so to avoid bad publicity, he said, while others are cleaning up “because everybody is realizing they need to be better citizens than they have been.”

Deborah A. Sheiman of the Natural Resources Defense Council said the right-to-know law has been “incredibly effective--even more so than regulatory programs” in prompting companies to reduce emissions.

McDonnell Douglas, for one, is “trying to be a good corporate citizen, in keeping with the spirit of ongoing environmental concerns to clean up the environment,” company spokesman Hal Klopper said.

“We have an obligation to the community to do this, and it is in our best interests to stay ahead of impending mandates,” he added. “If the environment doesn’t get cleaned up, the government will come in and mandate cleanup efforts.”

McDonnell Douglas already was improving its toxic emissions before starting to downsize its Los Angeles manufacturing operation, which is located near the southwestern border of Culver City, Klopper said.

The company probably will move away from the Westside altogether within the next few years, because the factory occupies land on which developer Maguire Thomas Partners plans to build part of the vast residential and commercial project called Playa Vista. Klopper said McDonnell Douglas’ lease on the property runs until 1994.

Meanwhile, McDonnell Douglas reduced overall toxic waste emissions by 12.6% in 1990 over 1989, mostly because the company upgraded and better maintained the equipment it uses to prevent emissions of trichloroethane, its major pollutant, said Klopper.

Since 1989, McDonnell Douglas also has been using a less toxic volatile organic compound in the surface cleaning of parts to be installed in helicopters and medium-caliber cannons. The company expects its emissions of all toxic pollutants to be even less in 1991.

A chemical called 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, or TCA, was also used by a variety of other, smaller Westside firms.

A clear liquid used to degrease metal and clean electronic parts, TCA is fairly low in toxicity. But concentrated exposures can irritate the eyes and lungs, affect heartbeat and the central nervous system, and deteriorate the ozone layer.

The Modern Plating Co. was the second-largest Westside polluter, emitting 84,639 pounds of TCA last year. But the company, located near Los Angeles International Airport, lowered its emissions of the chemical by 9% last year, releasing 84,639 pounds of the chemical into the air, compared to the 93,025 pounds it released in 1989.

In May, the company bought a $50,000 degreaser with a recovery shield, which will cut in half the level of TCA and other pollutants it releases, said John Bohacik, vice president of operations.

Besides helping the environment, “we’re also saving mega-dollars, because we’re not using as much” TCA, Bohacik said.

Most of the chemicals emitted on the Westside are industrial solvents also found in consumer products such as paints, varnishes and cleaning fluids, which can cause skin, eye and throat irritation. Some could cause wooziness or unconsciousness, but only if breathed in high concentrations only found in factories.

Even tiny firms are cutting down, including A & S Case Co. of Hollywood, which makes shipping cases for computers and musical instruments. After using the same amount of toxic-emitting glue in 1989 and 1990, the company this year switched to a new adhesive that it expects will result in “way, way, way less” emissions, said Bob Agena, the office manager.

The Barry Avenue Plating Co. of West Los Angeles is reducing its emissions by lowering the concentration of pollution-causing solutions, said its manager, Ed Amagna. The firm also is using alkaline cleaners instead of TCA because of its effect on the ozone, Amagna said.

Although the decision was voluntary, Amagna said there were financial considerations: The price of TCA has quadrupled in recent years and will become even more expensive as government agencies clamp down on its use, he said.

By reducing emissions of costly chemicals, companies not only waste less, but pay less excess emission fees to the AQMD, according to Amagna and officials of other companies.

Spraylat, which manufactures coatings and industrial paint for manufacturers, plans to eliminate emissions of methyl ethyl ketone by switching from solvents to water-based paint thinners, technical director Tim Jones said. In addition to being pollutants, the flammable organic solvents pose safety hazards, Jones said.

The Charles Caine Co. of Westchester, a contract painting business that also does silk-screening and engraving, has switched from liquid, solvent-based paints to powder coatings and water-borne liquid paints, which have no solvents. By doing so, the company has lowered its emissions of perchloroethylene, a degreasing compound, from 25,070 pounds in 1989 to 12,150 pounds in 1990, and expects to emit zero pounds in 1991, President Gerald Smith said.

Emissions for TCA will drop from 16,834 pounds in 1990 to about 11,000 pounds in 1991, because the company bought a new degreaser, allowing it to use less of the chemical when cleaning metal parts coming in for painting, Smith said.

The company is cleaning up in part because of pressure from the EPA and AQMD, said Smith. But there are personal reasons too.

“As a small business, we are making our effort to clean the air up. I’ve got grandchildren that live here; I live here,” Smith said. “I don’t want to have to breathe that air. I’m trying to do what I can, and keep a viable business that provides jobs.”

Gillette Co.’s Paper Mate plant in Santa Monica, a pen manufacturer, was one of few companies to emit more of a pollutant than less in 1990. Walt McHendry, division manager for technical services, said the company used more perchloroethylene, used to degrease metal products, because of a jump in production.

But he said the amount released into the air, 9,537 pounds in 1990, was insignificant. What’s more, he said, Gillette invested $350,000 in July on special equipment that has proven to be 98% efficient in burning off (and eliminating) the company’s biggest polluter, methyl ethyl ketone, which it uses as a bonding agent when making fiber points for flare-tip pens.

“Nobody told us to do this,” McHendry said. “But before it’s on the list (of illegal chemicals), we wanted to take care of it, to stay one step ahead of the regulators.”

Most environmental groups are heartened by the voluntary efforts by Westside companies, and say they predict companies will do even more in the future.

Little, of the Coalition for Clean Air, said the Westside’s widespread reputation as being heavily pro-environment will not only keep companies in line, but scare away other manufacturing firms from locating in the area.

“Could you imagine trying to site a refinery next to Beverly Hills?” Little asked. “Anyone trying to site a large toxic emitting facility on the Westside would face a nightmare of community opposition. The Westside is very well-organized when it comes to environmental concerns.”

Top Polluters on the Westside

Manufacturing firms must provide emission statistics on about 340 chemicals as part of a “community right to know” law passed by Congress in 1986. Numbers on map correspond to ranking of companies according to amount of pollution generated. Company: 1. McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. Address: 6775 Centinela Ave., Los Angeles Main product: Helicopters, cannon Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 249,730 % change 1989-’90: -6 Main pollutants emitted: TCA, dichloromethane Company: 2. MPC Plating Address: 5400 W. 140th St., Los Angeles Main product: Metal finishing Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 84,639 % change 1989-’90: -9 Main pollutants emitted: TCA Company: 3. Garrett Thermal Systems Division Address: 9225 Aviation Blvd., Los Angeles Main product: Air coolers Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 56,500 % change 1989-’90: +20 Main pollutants emitted: TCA Company: 4. Gillette Co. Paper Mate Division Address: 1681 26th St., Santa Monica Main product: Pens, markers Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 35,909 % change 1989-’90: +18 Main pollutants emitted: Methyl ethyl ketone, perchloroethylene Company: 5. Ferro Corp.* Composites Address: 3512 Helms Ave., Culver City Main product: Material for marine, aerospace Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 35,256 % change 1989-’90: -10 Main pollutants emitted: Acetone, methyl ethyl ketone Company: 6. Charles Caine Co. Address: 8325 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles Main product: Painting, engraving Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 28,984 % change 1989-’90: -15 Main pollutants emitted: TCA, perchloroethylene Company: 7. Barry Ave. Plating Co. Address: 2210 Barry Ave., Los Angeles Main product: Chrome plating Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 26,673 % change 1989-’90: +1 Main pollutants emitted: TCA Company: 8. Hercules Inc. (closed) Address: 8536 National Blvd., Culver City Main product: Laminated circuit boards Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 17,735 % change 1989-’90: -31 Main pollutants emitted: Acetone Company: 9. Teledyne Microelectronics Address: 12964 Panama St., Los Angeles Main product: Microchips Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 16,113 % change 1989-’90: +37 Main pollutants emitted: TCA, Freon 113 Company: 10. Tri-Star Electronics Inc. Address: 362 Main St., Venice Main product: n/a Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 10,363 % change 1989-’90: n/a Main pollutants emitted: Freon 113 Company: 11. Parker Seal Co. Address: 10567 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City Main product: Gaskets, seals Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 4,400 % change 1989-’90: -2 Main pollutants emitted: TCA Company: 12. A&S; Case Co. Address: 1111 N. Gordon St., Los Angeles Main product: Shipping cases Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 1,899 % change 1989-’90: +0.3 Main pollutants emitted: TCA Company: 13. Fansteel/PSM Address: 5235 W. 104th St., Los Angeles Main product: Sheet metal for aviation Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 1,500 % change 1989-’90: -93 Main pollutants emitted: TCA Company: 14. Spraylat Co. Address: 3465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles Main product: Industrial paint and coatings Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 1,000 % change 1989-’90: none Main pollutants emitted: Methyl ethyl ketone Company: 15. Highland Plating Address: 1001 N. Orange Drive, Hollywood Main product: Metal finishing Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 300 % change 1989-’90: none Main pollutants emitted: Sulfuric acid Company: 16. Stutzman Plating Address: 5045 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles Main product: Metal finishing Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 250 % change 1989-’90: n/a Main pollutants emitted: Hydrochloric acid Company: 17. Burton Plating Co. Address: 6341 Arizona Circle, Los Angeles Main product: Metal finishing Estimated emissions in 1990 (in pounds): 5 % change 1989-’90: -98 Main pollutants emitted: Hydrochloric acid Source: California Environmental Protection Agency

n/a: Not available

* now Structural Polymer Systems

Getting Data on Toxic Emissions

Toxic release data for specific manufacturers--or all manufacturers within a ZIP code, a city or an entire county--can be obtained from the California Environmental Protection Agency in Sacramento.

Data-seekers can call the Cal EPA help desk at (916) 327-1848, or write: Cal EPA, Office of Environmental Information, 555 Capitol Mall, Room 525, Sacramento, Calif. 95814.

Floppy discs containing a full year of data for the entire state may also be purchased for $50 each. Discs are available for 1987, ‘88, ’89 and ’90.

Toxic Chemicals and Their Effects

Compounds in largest volumes emitted into the environment by manufacturers.

Chemical: 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Human and Environmental Effect: TCA for short. A clear liquid used to degrease metal and to clean printing presses and electronic parts, among other things. Fairly low in toxicity; a high dose is needed to cause immediate effects. Concentrated exposure can irritate the eyes and lungs, and affect the heartbeat and central nervous system. Workers have died from high exposure in enclosed spaces. No link with cancer has been proved in limited animal tests. TCA depletes the ozone shield that screens the sun’s harmful rays. Chemical: Methylene Chloride Human and Environmental Effect: A clear liquid used as paint stripper, metal degreaser and in adhesives, foam and plastics processing. Common ingredient in paint strippers sold to consumers. Irritates skin and in high concentrations affects heart and central nervous system. Considered a probable human carcinogen based on animal tests. Chemical: Freon 113 Human and Environmental Effect: An odorless, colorless gas used as a blowing agent in foam manufacture, as a refrigerant and as a cleaning solvent. Widely used due to its low toxicity, although high levels can cause eye, nose and throat irritation and asphyxia. Strong ozone depleter. Chemical: Perchloroethylene Human and Environmental Effect: Also known as PCE or tetrachloroethylene. Used in metal drying and degreasing. Also most widely used as a dry-cleaning chemical. Detected in many local drinking water supplies due to ground water seepage. Moderately toxic. Workplace exposure has resulted in liver, kidney and central nervous system effects. Considered a probable human carcinogen based on animal tests. Chemical: Acetone Human and Environmental Effect: Flammable liquid used as fingernail polish remover; also to make chemicals, remove paint and clean and dry precision equipment. Toxicity is low, but at high levels it can irritate the nose and throat and cause lightheadedness. Reacts in sunlight to create smog. Chemical: Ammonia Human and Environmental Effect: A colorless liquid or gas with irritating odor used as a household cleaner, as a refrigerant, in metal treating and synthetic fibers. Concentrated fumes can cause severe irritation to eyes and lungs. Chemical: Styrene Human and Environmental Effect: A flammable, usually colorless, oily liquid with pungent odor used in the manufacture of plastics and resins. One of the most heavily used chemicals in the U.S. Can irritate eyes, nose and throat. Vapors contribute to smog. Suspected carcinogen. Chemical: Methyl Ethyl Ketone Human and Environmental Effect: MEK for short. A solvent used to make paints, paint removers, adhesives, drugs, cosmetics and artificial leather. Explosion hazard. Concentrated exposure can cause dizziness, headaches and blurred vision. Chronic, low-level exposure can cause decreased memory and slow reflexes. May cause reproductive harm, based on animal studies. Chemical: Toluene Human and Environmental Effect: A flammable liquid used as a gasoline additive and in making inks, detergents and pharmaceuticals. Skin and eye irritant. Chronic exposure may cause anemia, damage to liver, kidneys and central nervous system. Contributes to ozone, the main ingredient in smog. May be toxic to a fetus. Chemical: Xylene Human and Environmental Effect: A flammable liquid used in fuels, lacquers and such household products as glues and fingernail polish coatings and rubber cement. Can irritate eyes, nose and throat. Chronic exposure can damage the liver and central nervous system. Fatalities have resulted from breathing intense concentrations. Xylene vapors contribute to smog. Chemical: Glycol Ethers Human and Environmental Effect: Used in resins, paints, dyes, cosmetics and brake fluids. Concentrated exposure can cause nausea, headaches and kidney damage. May be toxic to a fetus. Chemical: n-Butyl Alcohol Human and Environmental Effect: A flammable liquid used as a solvent in the manufacture of resins, varnishes, detergents and lacquers. Can cause skin, eye and throat irritation. Source: Toxic release inventory reports filed by Southern California manufacturers with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Staff writer Myron Levin and researchers Dan Malcor and Janet Lundblad contributed to this story.