Exhaust gas treatment not up to standard: 28 auto 4S stores in Chengdu have been investigated and punished

When going to 4S stores or auto repair shops for car maintenance, one often smells a pungent odor. However, many people are unaware that during the operation of 4S stores, a large amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is produced, and car painting is also one of the "culprits" of air pollution. At the same time, improper collection and disposal of used engine oil and batteries can seriously cause environmental pollution in the surrounding area.

To completely address the pollution of volatile organic compounds from automotive repair shops in the city, Chengdu conducted a one-month special law enforcement inspection on 4S stores. Yesterday, data from the municipal environmental protection bureau showed that during the inspection of 180 automotive 4S stores, 53 were sampled and monitored on-site, and 28 cases have been filed for investigation and 5 cases have been ordered to rectify.

Automotive painting

One of the "culprits" of air pollution

According to data from relevant departments, as of April 4th, 2017, the total number of cars in Chengdu reached 4.2459 million, ranking second in the country, and the number of enterprises engaged in motor vehicle maintenance and dismantling has also been increasing year by year.

"The main components of automotive painting exhaust are harmful gases such as paint mist, benzene, toluene, and xylene, which not only have a bad smell but also cause photochemical pollution if directly discharged into the atmosphere. It is one of the 'culprits' of air pollution such as smog and ozone pollution, and is very harmful to the human body." A law enforcement officer said that the focus of this special law enforcement inspection was whether the environmental approval procedures of automotive 4S stores were complete and complete; whether the storage and transfer of hazardous waste were standardized; whether the pollution prevention and control facilities were operating normally; and whether the exhaust met the emission standards. Severe environmental violations of excessive exhaust emissions will be severely punished.

Exhaust emissions exceeding standards

Improper waste disposal

A relevant official from the Chengdu Environmental Protection Bureau said that during this inspection of 180 automotive 4S stores, the 28 cases that have been filed for investigation and the 5 cases that have been ordered to rectify had the most concentrated problems with improper waste disposal and exhaust emissions.

The reporter accompanied the law enforcement officers during the inspection and found that some auto repair enterprises did not keep the transportation, transfer, storage, and use of paints and solvents containing volatile organic compounds sealed, and the mixing, painting, baking, and drying operations were not carried out in a sealed space or equipment, nor were there any exhaust treatment facilities. During the automotive repair processes of applying putty and sanding, there were no dust and volatile organic compound collection and treatment facilities, which all led to pollutant emissions. In addition, some auto repair enterprises did not follow regulations and randomly handed over hazardous waste to unqualified units or individuals or mixed it with household garbage and discarded it randomly, or even burned used engine oil and other waste in heating and combustion equipment.

The maximum fine is 200,000 yuan

Failure to correct will result in suspension of production

In response to the problems and doubts found during this inspection, the Chengdu Environmental Protection Bureau stated that it will thoroughly investigate and deal with them. For the hidden dangers found during the inspection, clear rectification requirements and time limits will be proposed, and environmental violations will be legally filed for investigation. For suspected criminal offenses, they will be promptly transferred to the public security department for handling. In addition, the environmental protection department also requires relevant enterprises to establish basic information management ledgers for facility operation and raw material use, as well as management ledgers for the entry and exit of hazardous waste. These ledgers must be kept for at least 5 years.

According to the new "Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law", if production and service activities that generate volatile organic compound exhaust are not carried out in a sealed space or equipment, if pollution prevention and control facilities are not installed and used as required, or if measures to reduce exhaust emissions are not taken, the environmental protection department at or above the county level will order corrections and impose a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 yuan. For those who refuse to correct, it will be ordered to suspend production and rectification.