The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) sent Quarren Avakian a warning letter Sept. 7 for failing to install certified vapor recovery equipment at Halsey Shell (west of I-5 at exit 216). Lack of vapor recovery equipment results in the escape of volatile organic compounds to the atmosphere, which in turn causes smog. According to DEQ’s letter “[s]mog can cause property damage and health problems.” DEQ gave Avakian 30 days from his receipt of DEQ’s letter to correct the problem by installing the required vapor recovery equipment.  — Doug Quirke/Oregon Clean Water Action Project