Air District fines Gold Bond $188,500 for dust violations at Richmond plant

This penalty resolves 13 notices of violation related to unpermitted equipment and fine mineral dust that left the plant and reached neighboring communities. Air District inspectors recorded that dust and related emissions from the facility affected nearby properties and public streets, and that improvements were needed to strengthen the facility’s dust control equipment and operating practices.

Gold Bond’s wallboard manufacturing handles large volumes of gypsum rock and fine mineral powder, and these types of plants depend on enclosures, filtration equipment and strict operating procedures to keep that powder from releasing into the air. When those controls stop working, the material can impact nearby properties and add to the fine particle pollution people breathe.

“Dust from the Gold Bond plant has drifted well past its property line, into the neighborhoods and businesses nearby,” said Dr. Philip Fine, executive officer of the Air District. “Neighbors should not bear the pollution of the business next door and this penalty requires Gold Bond to upgrade the equipment and practices that keep its dust contained. We will continue to hold the facility accountable to ensure clean air for the Richmond community.”

The Air District is requiring Gold Bond to implement a set of physical and operational improvements at the Richmond plant to resolve impacts to neighboring communities:

• Build a permanent enclosure around the plant’s outdoor gypsum pile by December 31, 2027
• Upgrade the dust collection equipment that captures airborne material inside the plant
• Strengthen inspection, monitoring, maintenance and corrective action practices, including ongoing employee training on air quality and dust control
• Improve controls where gypsum is loaded, handled, and processed to reduce airborne dust
• Add cleaning practices of vehicles leaving the plant that keep dust and debris from being carried into the community
• Promptly investigate and respond to reports of gypsum material affecting neighboring businesses or residential areas

Gold Bond will also be required to expand its monitoring and recordkeeping and to correct problems as they arise so that the Air District can confirm the plant stays in compliance over time.

Penalty funds collected through this enforcement action will be allocated in accordance with the Air District’s Community Benefits Policy, supporting local and regional projects that improve air quality and public health.

View press release(153 Kb PDF, 2 pgs, posted 06/10/2026).