Why? This stuff is hardly hazardous at all. It contains Hexane, Isopropyl Alcohol (common rubbing alcohol), and Methanol (common wood alcohol). None of the ingredients are carcinogenic, unlike the gasoline you put in your car every week. The only adverse effects are possible eye and skin irritation, and dizziness, etc. from prolonged exposure. MSDS for this product.
Furthermore, nobody is alleging that McNabb was using this solvent improperly, only that he dumped some in the lot out back.
Fast-Evaporating Industrial Solvent Degreaser PROD. #0570BENEFITS: Zep I.D. Red is a fast-evaporating industrial degreaser designed for use where fast evaporation and no residue are desirable. This versatile, fast-evaporating liquid degreaser combines speed in cleaning with high solvent power, but without chlorinated solvents or ozone depleting compounds (ODCs), such as 1,1,1, trichloroethane. Zep I.D.Red leaves no residue and is non-corrosive to metals. It may be used in a variety of applications by spraying and/or wiping. Removes oil deposits, grease, dirt, tar and lubricating compounds from circuit boards, electrical contacts, electric motors, machinery parts, electronic equipment, molds, textiles, etc. It's non-emulsifying formula does not interfere with oil/water separators. It is a thin, colorless liquid with a mild, solvent odor.
On top of that, it evaporates so fast it is not a very effective wiping solvent. Then he complains about $8 /gal cost. There are plenty of aqeous solns that are more effective and cheaper. He could even use mineral spirits if he just has to be a bad boy.
He is using this compound in a vapor degreaser. Prior to using this he used either a chlorinated solvent or a CFC. When the state set the threshholds on reporting and recordkeeping he made the switch because he can use 50 tons per year of the Zep without reporting whereas the CFC would require reporting at 6 tons per year.
Lets take his word for it, he is not dumping or burning. He does say he lets the material evaporate. Now in his degreasing process he is going to emit. That is the nature of the process. But he does have to handle the spent solvent responsibly. I wonder what he does with those drums with all the sludge in them after the smog gasses have evaporated? Munincipal Landfill?
All he has to do is pay a processor to haul this stuff away. They will do his paperwork for him and haul it on their trucks. They will distill it and sell the btus to the cement kiln and send the sludge to the hazardous waste landfill. Everybodys covered. Should a regulator want to see his record, all he has to do is show him the purchasing records and the processor records and the difference went up the stack.
Is this man being picked on? What about all the others across the country and around the world who are doing an identical or similar process. Is he the only person using the Zep product?