Lowe's To Pay $2.75M For Selling Polluting Paint

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Home improvement chain Lowe's HIW, Inc. will
pay $2.75 million to a Southern California air quality agency for selling paints and coatings that contain smog-forming ingredients.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District said Friday the settlement comprises $2.45 million in civil penalties and $300,000 to cover the costs of the agency's investigation. Lowe's has not admitted any culpability in the settlement.

Barry Wallerstein, executive officer of the AQMD, says paints and coatings are one of the most significant sources of air pollution in Southern California.

The AQMD routinely inspects home improvement retailers to ensure that paints sold to consumers comply with air quality regulations.

Earlier this year, the agency reached a $2 million settlement with Wal-Mart over the sale of noncompliant paints.

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