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Johnson Crushers International, a construction equipment manufacturer based in Eugene, will pay a $175,000 fine for releasing hazardous air pollutants and unpaid permit fees, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice.

The judgment, signed Tuesday, orders the company to pay $60,000 to Lane Regional Air Protection Agency and the remainder to the EPA. The penalty must be paid within 5 days of the judgment being handed down, according to assistant U.S. attorney Neil Evans.

The company was fined for its emissions of xylene, a hazardous solvent  released during operations such as the application of paint to metal products.

Johnson Crushers is part of KPI-JCI, which was formed in 1997 when it merged with Kolberg-Pioneer Inc. of South Dakota. JCI manufactures rock crushing and screening equipment in Eugene.

The EPA says xylene can damage the eyes, skin, blood, liver, and kidneys as well as the nervous and respiratory systems. JCI released xylene in excess of federal limits, leading to $147,788 of the total penalty.

JCI also failed to obtain an air operating permit and avoided paying permit fees, for which the company will now pay $27,212.

The settlement reflects violations that occurred between 2004 and 2007, Evans said.