KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Wal-Mart has been fined $400,000 by the federal government for selling refrigerants containing ozone-depleting substances to people not certified to use them.

A consent decree was filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City whereby Wal-Mart agreed to pay the fine due to violations of the federal Clean Air Act by the company's Sam's Club stores. According to the federal complaint, there were 20 violations of the act by Sam's Club stores in 11 states. The refrigerants were sold for use in automotive air conditioners and other systems.

The violations occurred at stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Publication date: 02/16/2004