SACRAMENTO - The California Air Resources Board has settled with Sud-Chemie Corporation of Munich, Germany, for $51,792.00 for selling illegal diesel filters. The filters were used on fixed emergency standby engines such as those used to generate emergency power in hospitals.

An ARB investigation showed that between 2008 and 2009, Sud-Chemie sold EnviCat diesel particulate filters that did not conform to original specifications approved by ARB.  

“Companies that sell diesel filters in California must follow careful guidelines in order to protect the air we breathe,” said ARB Enforcement Chief James Ryden. “We are confident that this company now understands what they need to do to be sure their diesel filters work properly.”

Under the settlement, $38,844.00 will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund to support air quality research, and $12,948.00 will go to the Peralta Community College District to help fund diesel education classes around the state.

Sud-Chemie has also agreed to meet the state’s requirements for diesel retrofits, to inspect and replace as necessary EnviCat diesel particulate filter units, and to notify local air districts of any concerns associated with the company’s failure to comply with the law.  Sud-Chemie will also contact users of the product to make sure they are operating properly.

Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and over 40 other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death and other health problems.