TOP AIR POLLUTERS

The South Coast Air Quality Management District has responsibility to control 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 November:

Company Type of Business Penalty Violation Concrete Cutting Concrete $4,125 Improper removal of International, Inc. contractor asbestos Los Angeles H.K.M. of California Asbestos $3,060 Improper handling of Corp. manufacturer asbestos Los Angeles Bremer Landscape Landscape $3,000 Public nuisance due to Ontario contractor odors Independent Oil $3,000 Excessive hydrocarbon Exploration emissions from crude Signal Hill oil wash tanks Toyota Auto Body Auto refinisher $2,850 Excessive odors from Long Beach oven Unocal Refining and Petroleum $2,500 Excessive visible Marketing marketer emissions;excessive Wilmington hydrocarbon emissions from gasoline storage and transfer D&F; Industries Inc. Vitamin $2,500 Failure to obtain permit Anaheim manufacturer to operate mixers, blenders Golden West Refining Oil refiner $2,250 Excessive hydrocarbon Santa Fe Springs emissions Ohline Corp. Window cover $2,250 Public nuisance due to Gardena manufacturer sawdust emissions Independent Petroleum $2,000 Excessive Hydrocarbon Exploration production emissions from crude Huntington Beach oiltanks