SACRAMENTO – (INT) - The Air Resources Board (ARB) announced Thursday that it has settled 19 cases in the second half of 2013 involving air quality violations by companies manufacturing or selling consumer products that exceeded California’s standards for smog contributing gases known as volatile organic compounds.

The products ranged from nail polish removers and bathroom cleaners to charcoal lighter materials and air fresheners. The violations amounted to over 11 tons of excess VOC emissions.

The fines totaled $233,175. The five companies paying the highest
amounts were: Bumble and bumble $88,000, Wal-Mart $34,000, Stoner $16,500, Alterna $12,850, and Adoro & Triple Image $12,000.

Volatile organic compounds are gases released from solids and liquids, contributing to ozone formation once released into the air. These gases can be found in a number of products such as paints, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, cleansers and disinfectants, air fresheners, stored fuels, automotive products.

Story Date: June 30, 2014