Curbing the Use and Emissions of Chemical Substances through Proper Management and Use of Alternatives
Emissions of substances subject to PRTR
In fiscal 2010, MHI released a total of 1,948 tons of substances subject to PRTR (Note1) compliance.
Roughly 97 percent of these emissions consisted of xylene, toluene and ethylbenzene, which are primarily used in painting and cleaning applications. Although the company is working to reduce these emissions, the task is proving to be a significant challenge, particularly for xylene, which is used for painting ships and its use is typically specified by ship owners. This preference is making it difficult to reduce the use of this substance.
However, in fiscal 2010, with the cooperation of ship owners, we were able to replace the paint for three ships whose owners had previously specified the use of paint containing xylene and other toxic substances for water-based paint free of such substances. The adoption of alternative products (water-based paint, etc.) is one of many actual toxic substance reduction activities we are promoting.
(Note1) PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register):
The PRTR system requires publication of the sources and emission volume of toxic chemical substances and the amounts of such substances removed from manufacturing plants. The system is provided for under the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Law.
Promotion of organochlorides reduction and replacement activities
MHI is reducing the use of tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene and dichloromethane, which are found in paint removal agents and oil cleaning agents. Atmospheric emissions in fiscal 2010 were reduced by 92.9 percent, 3.3 points lower than the previous fiscal year, however we did not attain our goal of zero atmospheric emissions by fiscal 2010. For dichloromethane, MHI completed an evaluation of replacing its use with non-dichloromethane removal agents in fiscal 2008. The company implemented the required facility improvements for this replacement in fiscal 2009 and will complete this conversion in fiscal 2010. Meanwhile, we are also presently promoting other activities regarding tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene centered on selecting and evaluating alternatives and examining possible changes in specifications. MHI is committed to continuing efforts to achieve our goals.
Atmospheric emissions of organochlorides
| FY | 1996 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dichloromethane | 55.0t | 18.2t | 20.3t | 23.7t | 18.6t | 8.9t |
| Trichloroethylene | 54.2t | 0.8t | 0.6t | 0.6t | 2.1t | 0.7t |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 153.0t | 2.3t | 2.5t | 11.5t | 6.6t | 9.1t |
Change in HCFC (Note2) emissions
| FY | 1996 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dichloropentafluoropropane | 3.3t | 1.0t | 5.0t |
| 1,1 dichloro-1-fluoroethane | 15.7t | 10.1t | 22.8t |
| chlorodifluoromethane | 0.2t | 0.1t | 0.3t |
| FY | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Dichloropentafluoropropane | 2.0t | 1.0t | 6.3t |
| 1,1 dichloro-1-fluoroethane | 22.6t | 15.7t | 0.3t |
| chlorodifluoromethane | 0.0t | 0.0t | 0.0t |
(Note2) HCFCs (Hydrochloro-fluorocarbons):
The Montreal Protocol that regulates ozone-depleting substances stipulates that the production of these substances must cease by 2020.
Voluntary targets for the reduction of VOC atmospheric emissions
Emissions of VOC, which are causal agents of photochemical smog, are regulated for facilities that release a given volume of these substances under the Air Pollution Control Law. In fiscal 2008, in addition to legal and regulatory compliance and to further advance its activities for lessening environmental impact, the company set a new voluntary target for reducing atmospheric emissions of VOC in fiscal 2010. The goal of the new target is to decrease atmospheric emissions of VOC by 30 percent from the fiscal 2000 level, focusing on xylene, toluene and ethylbenzene, which are emitted in large volumes.
The fiscal 2010 emission volume was 1,881 tons, a 17.1 percent decrease from the fiscal 2000 level. Unfortunately, we have not reached our stated goal. Throughout fiscal 2011, however, we have been promoting concrete reduction efforts including the introduction of countermeasure equipment, such as a VOC disposing device with thermal storage combustion system at the Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works, as well as the promotion of information sharing between MHI works.
Promotion of outsourced disposal of equipment using PCBs
As of March 2006, MHI had already registered the disposal of equipment using PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls) either currently in use or stored at its works, with the Japan Environmental Safety Corporation (JESCO), a special entity wholly funded by the Japanese government. The company also signed a consigning contract for disposal in 2007. By fiscal 2010, consigned disposal was effected at 11 sites (Note3).
However, according to the Law Concerning Special Measures Against PCB Waste, even equipment using trace amounts of PCBs not disposed by JESCO must be detoxified by July 2016. Therefore, we will examine ways to deal with them during fiscal 2011.
MHI achieved its stated goal of completely ceasing operation of equipment using PCBs by the end of fiscal 2010.
(Note3) MHI Head Office, Machine Tool Division, Iwatsuka Area, Industrial Machinery Business, Technology & Solutions Division, Takasago Machinery Works, Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works, Nagoya Guidance & Propulsion Systems Works, Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Systems Headquarters, Transportation Systems & Advanced Technology Division
Status of PCB Storage
