(KRON) – The Martinez Refining Company’s latest fire emitted chemicals and combustion byproducts that can cause cancer as well as heart and lung disease, according to Contra Consta Health (CCH).
Around 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, a massive fire ignited at the refinery. According to the county officials, a report indicated workers were opening equipment when hydrocarbon started to leak, which caused the fire. The fire was not completely out until Feb. 4.
Contra Costa Health has issued a health advisory and shelter-in-places for residents of the Martinez, Pacheco and Clyde areas.
Dr. Ori Tzvieli, the County’s health officer, said the community was fortunate that the wind blew most of the toxic smoke north, away from populated areas.“This could have been much worse,” health officer Dr. Tzvieli said. “We got lucky this time. But our community shouldn’t have to rely on luck.”
Four days after the fire, CCH requested MRC to disclose the products that were released or caught fire during the blaze. The refinery responded with the following chemical products: naphtha (petroleum), light thermal and light catalytic cracked; distillates (petroleum), light catalytic cracked; isobutane-rich C3-C4; diethanolamine; and distillates (petroleum), intermed cat cracked.
Combustion byproducts from the fire, according to CCH, included particulate matter from the smoke, benzene, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and xylene.
County officials are collaborating with a toxicologist to determine the long-term health effects including potential impacts to soil and water, per the CCH. The refinery is scheduled to provide CCH with a 30-day follow-up report in March.
(KRON) – The Martinez Refining Company’s latest fire emitted chemicals and combustion byproducts that can cause cancer as well as heart and lung disease, according to Contra Consta Health (CCH). Around 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, a massive fire ignited at the refinery. According to the county officials, a report indicated workers were opening equipment […]
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