Brinks to pay $147,000 to CARB for pollution violations

Armored Services Company failed to inspect vehicles for emissions

SACRAMENTO - Last month Brinks, Inc., agreed to pay $147,000 in a settlement agreement with the California Air Resources Board for failure to self-inspect their diesel trucks for compliance with the state's smoke emissions standards.

ARB documented violations between 2005 and 2006 at Brinks facilities around the state: Bakersfield, Eureka, Fresno, Lancaster, Los Angeles, Modesto, Oakland, Orange County, Petaluma, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Fernando Valley, San Jose and San Luis Obispo.

Brinks, known for armored vehicle services and security systems, violated California's Periodic Smoke Inspection Program, which requires annual smoke opacity tests of California-based fleets. The program, in conjunction with ARB's roadside smoke inspection program, is used to ensure that all of California's heavy-duty vehicles are properly maintained, tamper-free and free from excessive smoke emissions.

"California is serious about controlling toxic diesel soot," said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "Flouting California's clean-air laws is not good business. Choosing to foul the air and peoples' lungs has serious financial consequences for businesses that chose to circumvent public health laws."

In addition to the settlement monies, Brinks has agreed to comply with the smoke inspection program and will require all fleet staff responsible for compliance with the ARB's regulations to attend classes conducted by the California Council on Diesel Education and Technology. In addition, Brinks must supply all smoke inspection records for 2007-2009 and have properly labeled engines to ensure compliance with the engine emissions certification program regulations.

All monies are being paid to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which was established to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and the advancement and use of cleaner technology. This fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, uses compliance settlement fees to support various pollution-related research projects and related programs.

Emissions of particulate matter from diesel engines are 70 percent of the air borne carcinogens that Californians are exposed to on a daily basis. ARB has committed to reducing these emissions by 85 percent by 2020.


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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