A hearth at Martinez Refining Firm on Feb. 1 launched chemical compounds that may trigger most cancers and coronary heart and lung illness, however robust winds pushed many of the hazardous smoke away from populated areas, in accordance with Contra Costa County Well being Companies.
In a press release, Contra Costa County Well being Officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli on Tuesday revealed how lucky the Martinez group was that afternoon, and the way shut the refinery fireplace was to changing into a public well being disaster after a hydrocarbon leak led to 200-foot-tall plumes of smoke that may very well be seen for miles across the Martinez refinery.
“This could have been much worse,” Tzvieli mentioned. “We got lucky this time. But our community shouldn’t have to rely on luck.”
At 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, refinery employees had opened tools for deliberate upkeep of a processing unit that had been shut down earlier within the week once they smelled fuel. A hydrocarbon leak from the tools ignited. Six refinery employees had been evaluated by medical personnel and launched.
“Air-quality measurements taken by Contra Costa Health’s hazmat staff during the incident showed that concentrations of chemicals in the air during the event were mostly below the threshold considered dangerous,” in accordance with the company.
There was a quick interval when the smoke from the hearth stayed nearer to the bottom and measurements of harmful particulate issues – together with benzene, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and xylene – had been measured at a excessive degree, the company mentioned. Well being officers consider the transient interval of elevated ranges is just not anticipated to have a major affect on the general public’s well being.
One other replace concerning the incident is anticipated in March as a part of a 30-day follow-up report as mandated by Contra Costa County Well being. The county is hiring an unbiased agency to conduct a root-cause evaluation to find out why the accident occurred and the way future incidents might be prevented sooner or later.
Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston mentioned she is anxious concerning the launch of chemical compounds and combustion byproducts on the well being of her district, which incorporates the realm across the refinery.
“I will work to ensure all reports and analyses done by or contracted by MRC, CCH, and the Air District are released fully and promptly,” Scales-Preston mentioned. “My top priority continues to be the health and safety of the community.”
