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Diesel Particulate Matter is listed as a Toxic Air Contaminant. 

Release 09-95
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2009
	  	  	
Karen Caesar
(626) 575-6728
www.arb.ca.gov

Southern California waste hauler fined $500,000 for diesel
violations

Company cited for failing to self-inspect its fleet and install
emissions filters

SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board last month fined
Montebello-based waste hauler Key Disposal, Inc., $500,000 for
failing to adequately inspect its fleet and retrofit some of its
vehicles with diesel filters as required by State law.

"This significant fine reflects how seriously we take violations
of our air quality regulations," said ARB Chairman Mary D.
Nichols. "Big rig diesel trucks can belch noxious fumes that
pollute neighborhoods and affect public health, which is why we
require companies to clean them up. Any business that fails to
take its responsibilities seriously or attempts to take short
cuts can expect to pay a high price for its actions."

ARB initially offered to settle with Key Disposal and its
president John Katangian for a lower amount, however, because no
agreement was reached, the Office of the California Attorney
General sued the company in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The case was ultimately settled for $500,000. According to the
court order, the company and Katangian will pay $250,000 and the
balance of the fine will be stayed, pending no further
violations. Payments will be made to the Air Pollution Control
Fund, which supports research and projects to improve air
quality.

As a condition of the settlement, Key Disposal and Katangian
were required to bring their entire fleet of vehicles into
compliance with ARB programs and regulations. The vehicles must
remain in compliance as long as they are in use. In addition, Key
Disposal employees responsible for fleet maintenance must
complete a community college diesel emissions compliance
education class conducted by the California Council on Diesel
Education and Technology.

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40
other known cancer-causing substances. In 2000, the ARB
established California's Diesel Risk Reduction Plan, which aims
to reduce diesel emissions to 85 percent below 2000 levels by
2020. Other sources of diesel particulate matter such as big rig
trucks, transit buses, cargo-handling equipment and ship engines
have already been addressed through regulations, along with
diesel fuel.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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