United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA/600/S2- 90/003 July 1990
&EPA Project Summary
Estimation of Emissions from
Charcoal Lighter Fluid and
Review of Alternatives
D.L Campbell and M. B. Stockton
The report gives results of an
evaluation of emissions of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) from
charcoal lighter fluid, including both
evaporative and combustion
emissions.
This Project Summary was
developed by EPA's Air and Energy
Engineering Research Laboratory,
Research Triangle Park, NC, to
announce key findings of the research
project that is fully documented in a
separate report of the same title (see
Project Report ordering information at
back).
VOC Emissions
Volatile organic compounds (VOC)
are known to contribute to the formation
of ozone; therefore, the ozone
nonattainment issue has focused
attention on VOCs emitted from many
stationary, mobile, and area sources. One
group of area sources which has received
recent attention by the U. S. EPA and a
number of state and local air pollution
control agencies is a wide variety of
VOCs containing consumer products.
The focus of this study is to evaluate
emissions of VOCs from charcoal lighter
fluid, a consumer product consisting
entirely of volatile constituents. An
estimated 46,250 tons (42,000 Mg) of
charcoal lighter fluid are used in the
United States every year.
VOCs are emitted when charcoal
lighter fluid is used, but these emissions
are difficult to quantify. Evaporative VOC
losses occur from the lighter fluid prior to
ignition, and combustion VOC losses
occur from burning lighter-fluid-soaked
charcoal briquettes.
This study evaluates tests conducted
to date on charcoal lighter fluid
emissions. The information is most
complete for the evaporative VOC losses.
The estimates vary greatly, however,
based on the length of time between
application of the lighter fluid and ignition
of the fire. The estimates of evaporative
VOC losses range from 244 to 6,937
tons/yr (220 to 6,300 Mg/yr). The best
estimate of VOC evaporative emissions is
1,110 tons VOC/yr (1,000 Mg/yr), and is
derived from one of the tests evaluated in
this study. This estimate, in the mid
range of the estimates reviewed, is based
on the assumption that a 5 minute
soaking period is most representative of
actual usage.
Approximately 14,500 tons VOC'yf
(13,150 Mg yr) are expected to be
emitted from the combined evaporation
and combustion of charcoal lighter fluid.
The limited tests conducted to date have
not distinguished the lighter fluid
combustion emissions from the charcoal
briquette combustion emissions.
This study also examines current
usage patterns, ease of use, and costs to
consumers for the alternatives to charcoal
lighter fluid, and qualitatively ranks the
emissions from the use of each
alternative. In general, electric grills
produce the lowest emissions, followed
by liquified petroleum gas and natural
gas grills. Chimney and electric starters
produce charcoal combustion emissions
only, and solid and gel starters should
produce fewer emissions than self-
starting charcoal or charcoal lighter fluid.
Emissions from self-starting charcoal
result from the combustion of the volatile
component and the charcoal itself. The
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most popular outdoor cooking method,
igniting charcoal with charcoal lighter
fluid, produces the highest VOC
emissions of the methods evaluated in
this study.
D.L Campbell and M. B. Stockton are with Radian Corp., Research Trianale
Park, NC 27709
Michael Kosusko /;«; the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "Estimation of Emissions from Charcoal Lighter
Fluid And Review of Alternatives," (Order No. PB 90-186 313/AS; Cost:
$15.00 subject to change) will be available only from:
National rechnical Information Service
5285 Por> Royal Road
Springfield. VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
EP/V600/S2-90/003
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