Calif. air board collects nearly $400,000 in fines

California’s clean air agency says so far this year it has settled 26 cases involving violations by firms making or selling products that exceeded standards for gases known as volatile organic compounds.

The Sacramento Bee reports Wednesday that since January the California Air Resources Board has collected fines totaling $377,950.

The fine proceeds go to the state’s Air Pollution Control Fund to support research to improve California’s air quality.

The largest fines collected were from OPI, which paid $58,000, and Lucas Oil Products, which paid $48,400.

Volatile organic compounds are gases released from solids and liquids that contribute to ozone formation once released into the air. The gases can be found in paints, aerosol sprays, cleansers, disinfectants, air fresheners, stored fuels and automotive products.