SACRAMENTO -- The California Air Resources Board  (ARB) has settled its case with Aerosol Services Corporation for $400,000 for distributing in California hair mousse products that exceeded emission standards for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).

"Consumer products are a significant source of VOC emissions," ARB Executive Officer Michael P. Kenny said. "In California the 'hair mousse' category alone is responsible for 250 tons of VOCs each year."

Aerosol Services sold 883,414 units of hair mousse with chemical properties that exceeded VOC standards. ARB obtained samples of the mousse, sold under various brand names, from retail stores as part of a routine inspection. Subsequent analysis indicated the products did not comply with state VOC standards. VOCs contribute to the formation of smog.

Of the total settlement, $250,000 will go into California's Air Pollution Control Fund (APCF), which is used to mitigate various sources of pollution throughout the state. The state uses this fund to educate the public and provide programs to minimize the output of smog forming emissions from various sources. Through incentive and buyback programs, the APCF reduces the number of pollution sources.

The other $150,000 will go directly toward four environmental stewardship projects. These projects receiving funds are: Central California Science Teachers Association (CCSTA), the Greater Los Angeles Teachers' Science Association (GLATSA), Calstart's Clean Cars Mapping Project and Coleman / Ballard Fuel Cell Project (Powermate).