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 that 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 December:

Company Type of Business Penalty Newhall Refining Co. Inc Oil refinery $11.250 Newhall Stantron Div. of Zero Furniture $10,000 North Hollywood Kimstock Inc. Fiberglass processing $7,000 Santa Ana Bendix Oceanics Marine electronic manufacturer $6,000 Sylmar Fire Protection Group Inc Sprinkler system $5,400 Santa Monica contractor Square D Company Circuit board manufacturer $5,000 Los Angeles N. I. Industries Auto wheel manufacturer $4,000 Brea George Rice & Sons Printing $3,500 Los Angeles Modern Wheel Auto wheel manufacturer $3,000 Rancho Dominguez Putzmeister Inc. Concrete pump manufacturer $3,000 Gardena

Company Violation Newhall Refining Co. Inc Excessive sulfur dioxide emissions Newhall Stantron Div. of Zero Excessive hydrocarbons North Hollywood from painting Kimstock Inc. Excessive odors; Santa Ana failure to comply with permit conditions Bendix Oceanics Excessive hydrocarbons Sylmar from degreaser operation Fire Protection Group Inc Improper removal of asbestos Santa Monica Square D Company Excessive hydrocarbons Los Angeles N. I. Industries Excessive hydrocarbons from painting Brea George Rice & Sons Failure to obtain permit to operate Los Angeles printing systems; Excessive odors Modern Wheel Excessive hydrocarbons from spray booths Rancho Dominguez Putzmeister Inc. Excessive hydrocarbons from Gardena spray booths