CARB Fines Plasti Dip International for Air Quality Violations

The California Air Resources Board today announced a settlement of $170,000 with Plasti Dip International for violating California’s Consumer Products Regulations, specifically related to aerosol coatings. Plasti Dip, located in Blaine, MN is the manufacturer of a rubber coating sold nationwide, including in auto and hardware stores throughout California.

Plasti Dip violated the Aerosol Coating Products Regulation by selling, for use in California, Plasti Dip Metalizer, Plasti Dip Classic Muscle, and Plasti Dip Glossifier, all of which exceeded the allowed reactivity limit.

“CARB is continuously working to ensure that products sold to consumers in California meet the standards for smog-causing chemicals,” CARB Executive Officer Richard Corey said. “These violations impact air quality and public health.”

Plasti Dip International has been developing and manufacturing specialty coatings and adhesives since 1972. It started with its most popular product, Plasti Dip. The air-dry rubber coating began as a “grip solution” for tool handles and has become a DIY commodity for crafters, handymen and automotive enthusiasts.

Aerosol coatings such as Plasti Dip products dispense product ingredients by means of a propellant. They are packaged in a disposable aerosol container for hand-held application, or for use in specialized equipment such as ground traffic and other marking applications.

CARB adopted its Aerosol Coating Products Regulation to reduce reactive organic compounds (ROC) from aerosol coating products by limiting product reactivity. Reactivity refers to ROC’s potential to undergo a chemical reaction to form ground-level ozone. ROCs are an important precursor, or component in the formation of ground level ozone, a major part of California’s smog problem.

Any person or company selling or manufacturing aerosol coating products for use in California must comply with the standards in the Aerosol Coating Products Regulation, including the reactivity limits, as well as labeling, reporting, dating, and other administrative requirements.

To meet the terms of its settlement agreement, Plasti Dip modified its products to meet CARB’s regulatory requirements. They will also pay a settlement amount of $170,000 to the Air Pollution Control Fund.