Air Toxics

Air toxics are air pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems.

Air toxics can come from a variety of sources including cars, trucks and other mobile sources, all types of burning, business and industry, indoor sources (e.g., paints and solvents), and natural sources of air toxics like volcanoes and wildfires.

Here are some examples of how you can be exposed:

• Breathing contaminated air;
• Eating contaminated foods, such as fish from contaminated waters; meat, milk, or eggs from animals that fed on contaminated plants and fruits and vegetables grown in contaminated soil;
• Drinking contaminated water;
• Ingesting contaminated soil. Young children are especially vulnerable because they can ingest soil from their hands or from objects they place in their mouths;
• Making skin contact with contaminated soil, dust, or water.

Parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF) 

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has identified parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF, CAS #98-56-6, also known as “Oxsol”) as a carcinogenic compound. This compound can be found in various coatings and coating-related products used at facilities such as autobody shops, wood coating operations, and printing operations.

In 2022, the Air Toxics “Hot Spots” Emission Inventory Criteria and Guidelines (EICG) Regulation and the Criteria and Toxics Reporting (CTR) Regulation introduced additional tracking and reporting requirements for facilities that use PCBTF-containing materials. These new requirements are now in effect in San Luis Obispo County. In 2027 autobody shops and other users of PCBTF will be required to report the amount use of PCBTF they used in 2026.

While PCBTF is a common component of coatings and solvents, it is not classified as a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), so it has typically not been included in the VOC reports that paint suppliers provide to facilities for their annual emissions reporting. Facilities are encouraged to work with their suppliers to ensure that their PCBTF usage is tracked and they will be able to accurately their report usage. If a facility is unable to report its actual PCBTF use, the District may estimate it for them.

An informational workshop regarding the upcoming 2027 reporting requirement for automotive coating facilities was held at the District office as well as on Zoom on October 8, 2025. Linked below is both a presentation (in English only) from the workshop and a summary from the workshop (in both English and Spanish). While tailored for automotive coaters, workshop information about PCBTF remains applicable to other industries.

For more information on how PCBTF affects you and your business, please contact the District.

At the Air District, we work to limit your exposure to air toxics and help you be better informed so you can help protect your health. For more information on Air Toxics – click the section below that pertains to your interests.