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ARB cited Rite Aid for selling throughout California
windshield-washer fluid specially formulated for colder,
mountainous areas contributing to ozone creation.  Release 09-08
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 26, 2009

CONTACT:Mary Fricke
(916) 322-2990
www.arb.ca.gov

Rite Aid fined for air quality violations
Company ignored warnings and continued to sell illegal products


SACRAMENTO:  The Air Resources Board announced today that it has
fined Rite Aid Corporation $340,000 for violations of clean air
regulations that require only windshield-washer fluid with
specific chemical formulas be sold in California.

ARB cited the company for indiscriminately selling throughout
the state windshield-washer fluid that is specially formulated
for colder, mountainous areas. In these regions more volatile
organic compounds are added to prevent the liquid from freezing
and for removing ice formations on windshields. But in the heat
of the sun VOCs contribute to ozone creation and are less
necessary in the lower warmer regions.  

“California’s retail stores are responsible for assuring that
the products they sell comply with our anti-smog regulations,"
said Mary D. Nichols, ARB Chairman.

Rite Aid was found to have sold more than 10,000 gallons of
non-compliant product between 2003 and 2007. The company
continued to sell the products even after written and verbal
communications requesting the company remove the items from their
retail shelves. 

Chemically formulated products offered for sale in California
are subject to the state’s regulations controlling VOC content.
In the heat of the sun VOCs create ozone which is the main
constituent of smog.  Ozone is caustic and responsible for many
adverse health effects including the exacerbation of asthma and
chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

ARB’s strategy of limiting the amount of VOCs in consumer
products has contributed to the reduced number of high ozone days
throughout California.  This is especially important in
California’s lower-elevation air districts as they still fail to
meet federal health standards for ozone.

For those Californians who live in an area that does not allow
the sale of higher VOC fluids, but are traveling up to areas
where freezing conditions are expected, options do exist. 
Concentrated products are available that allow for dilution with
water or can be added to your reservoir. These are sold in one
quart containers or smaller and have instructions for use in
freezing conditions.  The containers are required to be labeled
with instructions that are readily visible, easily understood,
and clearly specify dilutions that apply in areas of California. 
There are several manufacturers which sell dilutable automotive
windshield washer fluids in California. 
 

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency.  ARB’s mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy.  The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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