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

[Greg Mikol]

Bull Burge wrote:
> http://www.packserv.com/Content-Public/Products-By-Brand/Page.asp?iID=8
>
>  These guys are providing a denatured alcohol that will pass the voc
> levels.
>
> I haven't been able to do good research on my phone, but automotive
> additives like HEET may not be covered by this based on their
> intended use.
>
> BillB Typoed on my iPhone...


Bill, I think you may have mis-read something on your iphone. This 
company is making some vague claims about "biodegradable" and "95% 
natural" and "renewable" for their denatured alcohol, but if you look at 
the MSDS, it still is, fundamentally, alcohol. 90-95% ethanol, 5-10% 
isopropyl alcohol, pretty typical denatured alcohol. ~800 g/L VOC.

The simple alcohols (methyl, ethyl, propanol, isopropyl) are all VOC's. 
Period. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is probably lying.

However, in reading through Rule 1143, it appears as if denatured 
alcohol could still be sold if it is explicitly labeled with a specific 
end-use that is not as a solvent. (NOTE: I don't live in SoCal, and I am 
neither an expert, nor a lawyer). For example, a 1-quart can of 
denatured alcohol with a manufacturer's printed label which identifies 
it for use as marine stove fuel only, and gives no other usage 
instructions is OK, since it's designed to be burned = no VOC's. That 
same quart, with a label that simply reads "Denatured Alcohol" or 
"Shellac Thinner", with multiple uses listed, is not OK, since many of 
those uses are designed for evaporation of the alcohol into the atmosphere.

Just my interpretation, but it doesn't do any good for tracking down 
fuel in the middle of nowhere. However, if there are a couple of 
PCT-friendly stores at key locations that could be talked into stocking 
"Marine Stove Fuel", properly labeled, that might help, in the future.

My opinion is worth what you paid for it...

--Greg