Wal-Mart settles clean air claim

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will pay $199,000 to settle the Environmental Protection Agency’s claim that the retailer violated clean air rules by selling “Glow-in-the-Dark Looney String.”

Wal-Mart sold “party string” products imported from Taiwan that contained R-22, a banned ozone-depleting chemical that helps eject the string from the can. Such products violate the Clean Air Act.

The EPA started its investigation of party string products in 2005. The cans, available at Wal-Mart stores in late 2005 and early 2006, tested positive for the banned chemicals, the EPA said.