DiPirro v. Baldor Electric Company, et al.

On January 24, 2001, the Alameda County Superior Court entered a Consent Judgment in DiPirro v. Baldor Electric Company, et al. (No. H221265-2), which resolved citizen enforcer Michael DiPirro's allegations that Baldor distributed and/or sold certain power grinders whose customary use and application produces fumes, gases and dust which contain lead, crystalline silica, arsenic and chromium in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard warnings.

Baldor agreed to not knowingly manufacture and ship or cause to be shipped into California any power grinders, accessories or motors whose customary use and application produces gas, fumes or dust containing lead, crystalline silica, arsenic or chromium, unless Baldor provides a clear and reasonable warning on or in either the packing slip, the product itself, the owner's manual or packaging.

The Consent Judgment required settlement payments of $21,500, divided therein between civil penalties, 75% of which are paid to California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and compensation to whistleblower DiPirro and his counsel for their successful enforcement of this matter in the public interest.