GM Plant Hit With Air Pollution Charges

The Los Angeles city attorney’s office has filed a criminal complaint against General Motors and three officials at its Van Nuys assembly plant, accusing them of seven misdemeanor violations of air pollution regulations.

The complaint alleges that GM last August and September violated South Coast Air Quality Management District regulations limiting emissions of paint vapors and visible smoke. The company also violated a third air district regulation by running its auto painting lines when a key pollution control device wasn’t working, the complaint, filed Thursday, says.

All seven charges were filed against GM, which manufactures Pontiac Firebirds and Chevrolet Camaros at the sprawling assembly plant at 8000 Van Nuys Blvd., and against plant manager Ernest D. Schaefer. Dennis Heinemann, director of plant engineering, and environmental engineer Larry Breeding were each charged with a single count.

The seven counts, which were filed under the state Health and Safety Code, all carry maximum penalties of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to Deputy City Atty. Gwendolyn Irby. Arraignment is scheduled Sept. 11, Irby said.

The charges were based on citations issued by the air quality district.

The violations are alleged to have taken place from Aug. 30 to Sept. 30, 1985, during the first weeks of the plant’s conversion to a new auto painting process. The process, known as “base coat/clear coat,” imparts a lustrous shine, but is much smellier than other painting methods.