The Environmental Protection Division discovered late last week a software problem with 42 percent of the vehicle emission testing machine for 1992 and older-model year vehicles.

After discovering the glitch, the EPD started a plan of action to reinstall the correct software. The reinstallation process is complete and owners of all older model vehicles can start retesting this week.

EPD believes that less than 2 percent of all vehicles tested since Oct.1 were adversely affected. The department is urging all owners of older model cars who had their cars inspected after Oct. 1, but did not pass, to contact the emission testing station.

If the station was running equipment made by ESP Inc., car owners should call a hotline at 1-800-449-2471 and talk with a customer representative.

EPD has worked closely with vehicle owners since the program's strat-up in Oct. 1996 to provide accurate information including an 800 hotline number, where people can call and immediately have their questions answered.

Georgia's Clean Air Force will respond to vehicle owners who were adversely impacted. Additionally, EPD is developing a program that identifies stations that meet quality stamndards for customer satisfaction in emission testing repair procedures.