From AAIA Capital Report

In its largest consumer product settlement ever, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently fined Ace Hardware $850,000 for selling windshield washer fluid in stores throughout the state that failed to meet state requirements for volatile organic compounds (VOC).

According to CARB regulations, windshield washer fluid can only contain 1 percent VOC content in most of the state and 35 percent in the state's mountainous areas that are subject to low freezing temperatures. However, according to CARB, the hardware chain was selling product that met the 35 percent standard throughout the state.

Ace Hardware had been previously cited for violating the same standard in 2005, resulting in a $40,000 settlement. According to the state, the fine money will be placed into the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which was established to mitigate various sources of pollution through education and advancement and use of cleaner technology.