Martinez Refining Firm launched an replace Friday on its investigation into the reason for a refinery fireplace on Feb. 1, sharing details about the general public well being affect of billowing smoke stacks over northern Contra Costa County.
The newest replace supplies particulars concerning the firm’s inquiry into the fireplace which led to a short shelter-in-place order from public well being and security businesses that had been involved about particulate matter launched from the refinery. The replace additionally warns the general public of intermittent flaring as refinery items are “drained and purged.”
“We are working urgently and thoroughly to identify the root cause(s) and take appropriate corrective actions,” the Martinez Refining Firm information launch said. “Contra Costa Health has requested certain information regarding the products that were released or caught fire during the incident, and MRC is working expeditiously to meet the deadline of February 10, 2025, for providing that information.”
An preliminary 72-hour incident report launched on Wednesday supplied key particulars concerning the supply of the gasoline leak and the reason for the fireplace, together with air high quality readings in the course of the incident which confirmed “no significant” ranges of air contaminants from the blaze. The contaminant was recognized as lower than 500 kilos of sulfur dioxide, a gaseous air pollutant related to respiratory points and irritation to the eyes, nostril and throat.
The report speculates that hydrocarbon gasoline leaked from the refinery’s course of items when two employees opened tools at roughly 1:30 p.m. in preparation for scheduled upkeep.
“The two workers immediately evacuated the area, and the material subsequently caught fire, which spread within the immediate vicinity,” the 72-hour incident report states.
Martinez Refining Firm officers notified the Bay Space Air District at 1:41 p.m. and referred to as Contra Costa County Well being Service Hazard Materials Applications at 1:48 p.m. for a stage 2 public well being alert calling for delicate populations to keep away from air outdoors.
At 3:22 p.m., Martinez Refining Firm directors contacted Oil Spill Prevention and Response. Particulars of the decision weren’t instantly accessible within the report.
At 3:53 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard was notified of the incident and despatched half a dozen personnel to Martinez Refining Firm’s administration constructing. Contra Costa Well being Companies division upgraded its public well being alert to a Stage 3 shelter-in-place order roughly an hour later for the parts of Martinez to the north and east of the refinery as public protection sirens blared.
The division referred to as off the shelter-in-place order at roughly 9:15 p.m., however a public well being advisory remained in place for the affected areas over Saturday evening. The newest report doesn’t present details about why officers issued a shelter-in-place order three hours after the fireplace ignited.
Friday’s replace from the refinery firm mentioned that flaring could proceed within the coming weeks whereas the investigation continues. The brand new launch additionally states that “refinery operating units have been shut down,” apart from required utility and environmental techniques.
“Flares are an essential part of a refinery’s integrated, engineered safety systems, which are designed to safely manage excess gases and pressure through efficient, effective combustion,” the information launch from Martinez Refining Firm states. “MRC will continue to work cooperatively with all agency inspections and investigations.”
Town of Martinez launched a public assertion Friday morning calling for Contra Costa County to make Martinez Refining Firm defend the neighborhood and the general public’s well being.
“We are asking the county and regulating agencies to hold the refinery to a higher standard, both for the safety of its workers and the safety of the community,” the assertion mentioned.
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