AIM regulations examined at Pittsburgh Society meeting.

At the September meeting of the Pittsburgh Society, a talk on "Architectural Industrial Maintenance Coatings Rules and Regulations," was given by Robert Gross, of PPG Industries.

Mr. Gross reviewed the history of Architectural Industrial Maintenance (AIM) regulations. Although AIM regulations were first developed in 1999, there was no uniform national law enacted, he said. As a result, different regions of the country adopted their own regulations. The California Air Resource Board (CARB), which consists of 35 districts in the state, was formed. Mr. Gross explained that, although CARB suggested regulations, they did not have the authority to enforce them.

According to the speaker, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) adopted and implemented these suggestions for the Los Angeles area, and many districts followed. These regulations are among the nation's most restrictive. Revised in May 1999 and in July 2004, the regulations will undergo additional revision through 2008.

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Mr. Gross noted that the Ozone Transport Commission, consisting of 12 northeastern states from Virginia to Maine, is implementing regulations similar to those of SCAQMD. The goal is to reduce emissions by 27% by 2007. Although there are exemptions for small companies, in many cases, the new VOC levels will be difficult to achieve. In conclusion, Mr. Gross reviewed some of the regulated VOC levels.

--WILLIAM L. LUCAS

Pittsburgh Society Secretary