California Fines Company for Hair Products that Violated Air Pollution Laws

Last month, the California’s Air Resources Board (ARB) announced that a hair products manufacturer has agreed to settle two cases with fines totaling over $362,000.  The settlement was the result of violations of air quality laws related to the sale of hair styling products across California.

The products in question exceeded the volatile organic compound (VOC) limits under a California consumer products regulation.  VOCs are regulated by ARB since they react with other pollutants under sunlight to form ground-level ozone which can result in smog. According to an ARB news release on the settlement, “When consumers statewide use products that do not comply with California’s standards, they unknowingly release significant quantities of smog-forming chemicals into the atmosphere.”

In addition to causing smog, exposure to VOCs can cause health concerns.  Elevated concentrations of VOCs are often found in indoor environments due to off-gassing of consumer products, building materials and furnishing.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness.”

One of the leading providers of VOC testing in indoor environments and from the off-gassing of consumer products is LA Testing.  “People need to be aware of the potential hazards of exposure to high levels of VOCs and product manufacturers need to be aware of the VOC limits for these types of products being sold in California,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility.  “LA Testing’s network of laboratories provides VOC testing services and product off-gassing analyses.   These services are available to manufacturers, retailers, regulators and the general public.”

LA Testing has sponsored a video about VOCs and indoor air quality (IAQ) that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/DlbDI1ZfdTg.

To learn more about VOC or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 
 
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.
 

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LA Testing

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