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2003 COASTAL CLEANUP IN SOLANO COUNTY IS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
by JANE BOGNER
SUNDAY, September 07, 2003

Working on the Pacific Crest Trail with fifteen other volunteers this summer was incredible. We repaired the trail at the base of Minaret Falls and built a 36-foot two-log bridge. We were pleasantly surprised to find no litter in this heavily used area near Devils Postpile National Monument. However, there was danger lurking in the parking lot. The culprit was antifreeze.

Antifreeze protects a vehicle's cooling system from temperature extremes, rust and corrosion. It prevents the radiator from boiling over during hot weather or freezing during cold weather. Since cooling system failure is the number one engine-related cause of roadside breakdowns, antifreeze maintenance is an important preventative measure. The main ingredient in most standard antifreezes is ethylene glycol which is poisonous. When ingested, it converts to oxalic acid which damages the kidneys and can cause kidney failure and death.

Just how hazardous is ordinary antifreeze? Two ounces of ethylene glycol antifreeze can kill a dog, one teaspoon can be lethal to a cat, and two tablespoons can be hazardous to children. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers approximately 20 percent of poisoning incidents reported among children under six were caused by antifreeze.

Animal welfare experts estimate that tens of thousands of companion and wild animals die annually from ethylene glycol antifreeze poisoning. Wildlife is attracted to the taste of antifreeze which is licked off the asphalt in parking lots. Rain also carries antifreeze residue into streams harming fish and birds. Two less toxic antifreezes are on the market. SIERRA Antifreeze and Prestone's LowTox are propylene glycol based coolants which provide engine protection comparable to that provided by ethylene glycol based coolants.

Propylene glycol antifreeze is less toxic and safer than ethylene glycol coolants to children, pets, and wildlife in case of spills, leaks, boilovers, or careless disposal. It is also used at specified levels in the formulation of many consumer products including cosmetics, pet food, and over-the-counter medications. When you decide to change to less toxic antifreeze, you first need to drain the old coolant from your engine's cooling system then flush the system thoroughly with water before refilling with the new product. 

Please recycle old antifreeze at Vallejo Garbage Service located at 2021 Broadway (Thursday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) For other recycling locations, call 1 800 CLEANUP or www.CLEANUP.org. VALLEJO'S COASTAL CLEANUP DAY. Volunteers are needed to help clean up our local creeks and streams. The date is Saturday, September 20 from 8:30 a.m. to Noon. Volunteers can show up at the Vallejo Municipal Marina located at 42 Harbor Way. 

For more information call 707 55-EARTH or 1 888 BAYWISE (enter 94590). For other locations call Ted Danson at 1 800 CLEANUP or visit www.coast4U.org. In 2002, Vallejo counted 290 volunteers who picked up 13,954 pounds of trash, 1990 pounds of steel, 62 tires and 396 pounds of bottles, cans and cardboard to recycle. Over 34,000 pounds of trash and recyclables were remove in Solano and Yolo County last year. This event helps our community understand the value and impact that a little effort can make toward a better environment.

COMPOSTING CLASS
Vallejo's next composting class will be held at VALCORE on Saturday, September 20 from 10am to Noon. Two BioStack bins will be given away and each participant will receive a composting book. For more info call 707 55-EARTH.

VALCORE Recycling Vice President Jane Bogner's "A Sorted Affair" is published every other week in the Times-Herald, Community Outlook Section. For recycling information call Genie Kaggerud, VALCORE Recycling manager at 645-8258 or visit www.VALCORErecycling.org.

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