TOP AIR POLLUTERS

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is responsible for controlling air pollution in the area. It has the power to fine polluters from $25 to $25,000 a day based on such factors as the extent to which emissions exceed legal limits, the potential danger to the public, whether the violation was intentional or accidental and the company’s history of violations. These are the 10 highest penalties paid to the district in October:

COMPANY TYPE OF PENALTY VIOLATION BUSINESS General Sealant Sealant $9,880 Public nuisance Corp. manufacturer (special Industry allegation)* Commodore Sink manufacturer $9,000 Failure to obtain Products permit to operate Sylmar Pacific Lighting Utility $8,500 Public nuisance Energy Systems due to odors Sun Valley Biltmore Partners Construction $7,650 Improper removal Los Angeles and disposal of asbestos Turner Construction $5,000 Improper removal Construction and disposal of Newport Beach asbestos Atlantic Richfield Petroleum $3,500 Excessive Carson hydrocarbons; leaking pumps and valves Anja Engineering Pen manufacturer $3,000 Failure to obtain Corp. permit to operate Monrovia Wright Petroleum Gasoline transport $3,000 Excessive Carriers hydrocarbons; various locations improper loading of gasoline Continental Can Can manufacturer $3,000 Excessive Company hydrocarbons from Commerce can-coating operation Cal Energy Crude oil $3,000 Excessive Operations manufacturer hydrocarbons; Signal Hill failure to install vapor recovery system on oil tank U.S. Government Defense $3,000 Failure to obtain Naval Supply permit to Center construct San Bruno

* Special allegations are criminal charges brought against a company by the district attorney; AQMD is a civil authority. In this case 60 people required hospital treatment and 600 people had to be evacuated when a barrel of resin overheated and vaporized.