$158,000 in Fines Paid by Blaster Chemical Company

BLASTER CHEMICAL COMPANY CASE SETTLES FOR $158,000

Earlier this month the California Air Resources Board fined Ohio-based Blaster Chemical Company $158,000 for selling illegal rust-removing spray around the state.  ARB investigators found that between 2003 and 2006, 237,000 cans of Blaster Chemical's "Fabulous Blaster Penetrating Catalyst," used to dislodge rusted metal parts, was illegally distributed and sold at multiple retailers throughout California. The products contained illegal amounts of volatile organic compounds which ARB strictly regulates through its consumer products program.  The ARB's consumer products program is part of an overall effort to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds which contribute to smog. VOCs are in many commercially-available products used in households, businesses and industries. Under the energy of the sun, VOCs form ground-level ozone.