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newsrel -- ARB fines manufacturer of cleaning wipes $400,000 for air quality violations

Posted: 12 Feb 2015 11:35:40
Please consider the following news release from the California
Air Resources Board: http://bit.ly/17nW0BC
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2015

NEWS RELEASE 15-09

CONTACT:

Melanie Turner
(916) 322-2990
melanie.turner@arb.ca.gov


ARB fines manufacturer of cleaning wipes $400,000 for air quality
violations 

More than 33 tons of excess air pollution emitted

SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board has fined
Apothecary Products Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of
consumer health care products and pharmacy supplies, $400,000 for
selling general-purpose cleaning products that violated
California’s air quality regulations.

An ARB investigation revealed that for more than three years
Naples, Fla.-based Apothecary Products sold, supplied and offered
for sale in California more than 20 different brands and types of
optical glass cleaning products that exceeded a volatile organic
compound content limit of 0.5 percent for general purpose
cleaners. While each product was labeled for use as an optical
cleaner – which carries no VOC limit -- additional cleaning
claims made on the product labels placed them into the
general-purpose cleaning category which is subject to a 0.5
percent VOC content limit.

VOCs are regulated by the ARB because they react with other
pollutants under sunlight to form ground-level ozone, a main
ingredient in smog. In this case, it is estimated that more than
33 tons of excess VOCs were emitted as a result of sales to
consumers.

“ARB is constantly working to ensure that products sold to
consumers in California meet the standards for smog-causing
chemicals,” ARB Enforcement Chief Jim Ryden said. “Companies need
to understand that regulations for these chemicals in consumer
products are in place to prevent air pollution and protect public
health.”

Apothecary Products sold, supplied and offered for sale products
in violation of California air quality regulations under a
variety of brand names, such as Flents Wipe ’n Clear
Biodegradable Lens Wipe and Wipe ’n Clear Pre-Moistened Lens
Wipes.

The case was settled late last year for $400,000, with an
additional $25,000 payment to be suspended for 12 months pending
an effort to reformulate the product.  Apothecary has relabeled
the products to indicate they are only to be used to clean
optical glass, a use exempted from VOC limits. The additional
payment would be triggered if the company is unsuccessful at
reformulating the product so it complies with the VOC limit for
general-purpose cleaners.

Apothecary also agreed not to sell, supply or offer for sale for
use in California any consumer product in violation of ARB air
quality regulations. All fines are paid to the California Air
Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and
research to improve California’s air quality.



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Visit www.SaveOurH2O.org for water conservation tips.

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