Chinese company fined for air pollution

Beijing: Beijing has issued its highest-ever fine for air pollution to the city branch of Babcock Amp Wilcox, a US-based company, forcing it to pay out 300,000 yuan (nearly $48,000).

Authorities found that the factory was painting its products using illegal procedures and had been releasing untreated toxins into the air.

The painting process was being conducted outdoors without any environmental safeguards in place. Volatile organic compounds or VOCs, including benzene, methylbenzene and more -- all precursors of PM 2.5 pollutants -- were being released into the air.

The Beijing environmental police have dealt with a total of 178 cases since the release of stricter regulations on March 1 this year after the Chinese capital topped global pollution charts.

Tang Dezhi, department manager of environment and safety inspection at Babcock Amp Wilcox, said, "The 300,000 yuan is also the biggest fine our company has ever received. All of our company leaders as well as our staff are deeply aware of the problem."

He added, "As environmental protection has been getting more and more challenging, we, as companies, must consider taking some responsibility."

The high cost of violating the law has forced many companies in China to invest more in environmental friendly equipment.