Maddie Norgaard, showing the safer brake cleaner with Le Le, lead mechanic and manager of Nicollet Auto Services.
Helping Minnesota businesses develop and implement industry-tailored solutions that prevent pollution at the source, maximize efficient use of resources, and reduce energy use and costs to improve public health and the environment. mntapP@umn.edu
BY MADDIE NORGAARD
The results are in from this summer”'s Phillips Community Air Quality Improvement Project!
In total, 12 automotive repair shops chose to switch to safer cleaning and degreasing products resulting in approximately 3,000 pounds of air emissions reduced per year. Working in partnership with Hope Community Inc., the Lake Street Council, and the Franklin Area Business Association, a Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) intern helped auto shops assess the relative safety of their current products, and then identified safer alternatives available at local retail stores. Participating shops were given free samples of safer alternative products and a starter case to encourage adoption. MnTAP recommended safer products that have no Hazardous Air Pollutants, are low in Volatile Organic Compounds, and minimize Minnesota Chemicals of Concern.
Thank you to all the auto shops making a significant contribution toward better air quality in South Minneapolis:
Alliance Auto
Clausen Service Center
Duke”'s Cars and Towing
Green Garage
Intermaco Auto Body
K&J Auto Repair
Nicollet Auto Services
Lake Street Tire
Red and White Taxi
Rongos Auto Service
Starr Auto Service
Valvoline Oil Change
Air Emission Reductions (per year)-
450 lbs. of Hazardous Air Pollutants
860 lbs. of Volatile Organic Compounds
1,765 lbs. of ground-level ozone (smog)
To learn more about this project or to get involved in future safer cleaning and degreasing projects, please visit MnTAP”'s website or call 612-624-1300.
Maddie Norgaard is a MnTAP Intern
