HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

187

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting a study on control measures for volatile organic compound emissions from paint spray booths used by auto body refinishers.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, approximately 11 percent of Hawaii's children have asthma and a significant percentage of emergency room visits by children under 17 years of age are asthma-related; and

 

     WHEREAS, chemical fumes and air pollutants are contributing factors to asthma and other respiratory conditions; and

 

     WHEREAS, these conditions are exacerbated for those living in areas with mixed-use zoning where commercial businesses occupy space alongside residential structures; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for regulating air pollution and compliance with the federal Clean Air Act; and

 

     WHEREAS, this regulation extends to chlorofluorocarbons but does not include volatile organic compounds (VOC); and

 

     WHEREAS, VOC exacerbates the accumulation of tropospheric or ground-level ozone by reacting with nitrogen oxides; and

 

     WHEREAS, tropospheric ozone is the primary component of smog, which has been proven to have adverse effects on overall health, specifically with respect to respiratory conditions; and

 

     WHEREAS, reducing VOC emissions is particularly important in urban and mixed-use areas because of the high level of nitrogen oxides in these areas; and

 

     WHEREAS, other states have implemented regulations to limit VOC emissions, specifically with respect to businesses using surface coating processes, including auto body refinishers; and

 

     WHEREAS, there are a variety of cost-effective control measures that may be implemented to reduce VOC emissions including requiring low VOC coating materials, equipment that reduces emissions while also reducing waste, and training in proper application techniques; and

 

     WHEREAS, an increased focus on control measures to regulate VOC emissions will have positive outcomes not only environmentally, but also on overall population health; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the Senate concurring, that DOH is requested to study possible control measures to regulate VOC emissions resulting from paint spray booths used by auto body refinishers; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOH is requested to include the following considerations when conducting its study:

 

     (1)  All available information regarding alternatives to current materials, equipment, and techniques used by auto body refinishers;

 

     (2)  Regulations regarding VOC emissions and auto body refinishers adopted by other states;

 

     (3)  The "Interim Guidance Policy" published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in September 2005, which set a direction for future VOC control;

 

     (4)  Current permitting procedures for buildings that house businesses related to auto body refinishing used by both the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD)and Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu (DPP); and

 

     (5)  The feasibility of developing procedures that allow DPP and HFD to reevaluate permits issued to auto body refinishers based on complaints, including a reevaluation and reinvestigation of all related factors including ventilation and stack design;

 

and 

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study include a consideration of the costs and benefits to the owners and operators of auto body refinishing businesses; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOH is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Deputy Director of the Environmental Health Administration Division of the Department of Health, Chief of the Honolulu Fire Department, Director of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu, and District Director of the Small Business Administration – Hawaii District.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Volatile Organic Compounds; Control Measures; Department of Health