The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited a Howard County man for the unlawful selling of a refrigerant containing ozone-destroying chemicals.

Bruce M. Folkins of Columbia faces a $15,180 penalty for allegedly violating the Clean Air Act. He is accused of selling hazardous chemicals to unlicensed buyers.

The EPA alleges that Folkins sold two 30-pound canisters of the refrigerant Freon, which contains dangerous chlorofluorocarbons, to an undercover FBI agent who was not federally certified to buy the chemicals. The FBI agent apparently told Folkins that he did not have certification to buy the chemicals, an admission to which Folkins allegedly responded, "I don't ask questions."

The EPA charges that Folkins admitted to three prior sales of such chlorofluorocarbons.

Folkins, targeted by FBI agents after he placed a classified ad in a newspaper, is entitled to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and the proposed fine. EPA spokesman David Sternberg could not confirm whether Folkins had requested such a hearing.

Pub Date: 3/17/99