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Letter to the Editor

California Air Resources Board Approves Rule to Reduce Emissions from Motor Vehicle Coatings Operations

In September 2001, CARB approved the Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Emissions from Hexavalent Chromium and Cadmium from Motor Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Coatings. The rule was developed to reduce harmful emissions from motor vehicle and mobile equipment coatings.

CARB determined the chemicals used in automotive refinishing can pose a health risk when someone is exposed even to small amounts. The two most common toxics found in automotive refinishing are hexavalent chromium and cadmium. These two chemicals may cause damage to the liver and kidneys, and have been found to cause birth defects and cancer.

The regulation will eliminate the use of these chemicals in automotive refinishing products in California. This ruling will also diminish emissions of lead, which is found in these chemicals.

"The collision automotive repair industry has been working hard to reduce their employees' exposure to harmful emissions by providing them with better equipment and training. CARB's ruling will go a step further in providing the collision industry in California with additional environmental protection," said Bob Redding, the Automotive Service Association's, Washington, D.C., representative.

"With this regulation, California is promoting safety and health within the automotive collision repair industry. Now is the time for states or the federal government to pursue these same safety and health benefits through controlling the sale of automotive refinishing products. Only those persons with proper equipment and training should be allowed to purchase these products. They are made for professional use and only professionals should be allowed to use them," Redding said.

Accompanying this regulation, CARB will also conduct community outreach programs. CARB will provide automotive repair refinishing shops with information about safer alternatives and ways to decrease the amount of toxic air contaminants and other air pollutants from automotive refinishing operations.

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