CARB Announces Settlement with Shipping Company for Violations of a Regulation that Reduces Emissions of Diesel PM and Oxides of Nitrogen

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently announced a settlement with a container shipping company for over $680,000. The settlement was for violations of the Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation that aims to reduce diesel particulate matter (DPM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from the auxiliary engines of ocean-going vessels while they are docked at California ports.

Compliance requirements for the regulation designed to reduce DPM and NOx emissions began back in 2014. According to a CARB explanation of the regulation:

It requires anyone who owns, operates, charters, rents, or leases any U.S. or foreign-flagged container, passenger or refrigerated-cargo vessel that visits a California port to meet the operational time limits and reduce their power generation fleet-wide, as well as submit statements of compliance. The auxiliary engines covered under this regulation power the electricity and other onboard operations during a vessel’s visit, which can run from less than one day to several days.

“These types of rules are important for people living or working in communities near ports or anywhere there is heavy diesel traffic to mitigate exposure risks to elevated levels of diesel particulate matter and exhaust gases,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “These airborne pollutants can increase one’s risk of cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary and respiratory diseases, in addition to lung cancer.”

In California, LA Testing’s laboratories offer air testing for diesel exhaust, particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, and other gases, and by-products associated with combustion engines. These testing services help to safeguard the public, workers, and the environment. If used proactively by transportation companies, they could also help them avoid costly noncompliance penalties associated with clean air and diesel exhaust regulations. 

Several years ago, LA Testing sponsored an educational video about diesel exhaust, particulate matter and air quality issues that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/mAjDvBwKFWE   

To learn more about diesel exhaust, air quality, occupational and environmental testing services, or for access to sampling supplies and air monitoring instruments, 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 public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, 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, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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