California Air Resources Board

SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board announced that over the past seven months it has settled 25 air quality violation cases involving hairstyling and hairspray products, primarily for exceeding California’s limits for smog-causing pollutants known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  These settlements mitigated over 36 tons of excess emissions of VOCs.
   
“When millions of consumers statewide use products that do not comply with California’s standards, they unknowingly release significant quantities of smog-forming chemicals into the atmosphere,” said ARB Enforcement Chief James Ryden. “Hairspray and hair styling products are widely used products that must be regulated in order to protect public health.”

The fines went to the California Air Pollution Control Fund to support air quality projects and research to improve California’s air quality.

The fines totaled $457,197. The five companies paying the highest amounts were:

• JPM (2 cases) - $218, 500
• Brentwood Beauty- $42,800
• Ion Products - $30,000
• Hoyu- Samy - $27,000
• Beautopia/Brocato -  $26,500

The 17 other companies that were fined a total of $112,397 are: Henkal- Schwarskopf; TJ Maxx; Henry Margu; Vogue Int; TIGI Linea; Dave X Labs; SOMA/Wahl; Procter & Gamble – Farkkai; Suyen; T3 Micro; Lotta Luv; Neoteric Cosmetics; Supervalu- Albertsons (2 cases); ET Browne; Cortex; Fine Hair; Demert (2 cases).

Volatile organic compounds are gases released from solids and liquids, contributing to ozone formation once released into the air. Ozone, an element of smog, causes respiratory health effects including: an irritation of the lungs; shortness of breath; coughing; and aggravation of asthma and other lung diseases. 

For more information on ARB’s consumer products regulations, see: http://www.arb.ca.gov/consprod/consprod.htm