News Release

For Immediate Release                                        

Contact:     Beth Gorman     (520) 740-3343 

Tucson, AZ ( May 25, 2005 ) – The oldest cooking method in the world – first mastered more than 100,000 years ago – can be improved to reduce air pollution.  The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality encourages healthier barbecues through the use of cleaner-fuels and charcoal starters. Summertime barbecues can be less polluting and better for your health by using propane gas, electric charcoal starters or charcoal chimneys instead of charcoal lighter fluid.

Charcoal lighter fluid emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through evaporation and as the fluid-soaked charcoal burns. These VOCs contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone when they mix with other air pollutants in the presence of sunlight. Ground-level ozone (as opposed to the protective ozone layer) can cause health problems in people with lung and heart disease, active children, and adults who work or exercise outdoors.  Lighter fluid may also leave a residue of toxic chemicals on the grilled food.

Approximately 14,500 tons of VOCs are emitted from the 46,200 tons of lighter fluid used in the United States every year.  Alternatives to lighter fluid include electric charcoal starters or charcoal chimneys, which work very effectively and emit no VOCs into the air. In addition, eliminating the need for flammable lighter fluid reduces the amount of hazardous materials stored around the home. Propane barbecues emit significantly reduced levels of air pollution when compared to charcoal barbecues started with lighter fluid.

 Facts for Healthier Barbeques

• Memorial Day BBQs can be healthier and more environmentally friendly by avoiding the use of charcoal lighter fluid. 

• Charcoal lighter fluid is made from toxic petroleum distillates, which produce volatile organic compounds that are an ingredient in ground-level ozone air pollution.

• Ozone air pollution can cause health problems in children and adults with lung and heart disease.

• According to some medical experts, charcoal lighter fluid and self-lighting charcoal both put residues from toxic chemicals into the grilled food.  

• Always BBQ outside in a well-ventilated space because grills produce deadly carbon monoxide.

There are at least three great ways to avoid the use of lighter fluid when BBQing this summer:

1. Charcoal chimney starter: This device consists of a wide steel pipe with air vents at the bottom, a grate in the middle, and a heat-proof handle. The charcoal or wood is loaded on the grate and a sheet or two of crumpled newspaper is tucked into the bottom of the chimney. After the newspaper is lit, the coals will be ready to be poured onto the fire grate in about 15-20 minutes. It is best to use heat-resistant gloves when pouring the charcoal out onto the grate.

2. Electric charcoal starters: This electric coil will need an extension cord to be plugged into the electrical outlet closest to your grill. Simply place the starter in the coals and heat for the manufacturer’s suggested time. Then unplug the starter, remove it from the coals, and place the starter on a heat-proof surface away from children and pets until it cools down.  Once the charcoal is lit, allow them to heat for 15-20 minutes or until they turn ash gray.

3. Propane/gas grills: Depending on the type of grill, propane or gas can be used merely to start the charcoal or to complete the entire cooking process. The use of propane or gas completely eliminates the need for lighter fluid, which improves air quality. Before starting up a gas grill, clean all pipes to remove cobwebs and other obstructions. Do not store extra propane tanks near the grill or in the house. They should be placed in a cool outdoor location.

Happy and healthy barbecuing!                        

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