Contra Costa Health said lab analysis of the coke dust collected after Tuesday’s release by Martinez Refinery Company didn’t contain high levels of toxic metals.
CCH also said the tests indicate the dust – a byproduct of the petroleum refining process – doesn’t pose an increased, long-term risk to public health.
CCH’s Hazardous Materials Program sent samples of the sooty substance for analysis after it collected on cars, garbage cans and other surfaces in neighborhoods around the refinery after the July 11 release
MRC reported the release to the county around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday by activating the county’s Community Warning System at Level 1, the lowest-level alert, used for hazardous materials releases when there are no expected off-site health consequences.
MRC said the release took place around 8:30 a.m. and lasted approximately one minute.
Nevertheless, there was criticism of MRC over the timing of its notification, which health officials said requires notification of the Community Warning System and CCH as soon as possible or within 15 minutes..
“We are very concerned about the delayed notification to the Community Warning System. We are once again responding to a refinery incident and trying to determine the health impacts,” Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover said in a statement. “We understand this is an ongoing concern for our community and timely notification is critical.”
MRC said coke dust primarily contains carbon and is chemically similar to charcoal.
CCH and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District are investigating the incident to determine whether the release violated regulatory law.
CCH is also investigating whether MRC properly followed the county’s emergency notification policy and properly used the Community Warning System, as required by law.
Coke dust can be safely washed off surfaces with soap and water. The primary health concern regarding the release of coke dust is irritation of throat, lungs and the respiratory system while the release was occurring and the material was in the air, particularly for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Anyone who believes they have symptoms or health concerns due to breathing material released during the July 11 incident should contact their healthcare provider.
CCH expects to learn more about the contributing causes of the incident, actions immediately taken, and proposed actions to prevent a similar incident from occurring. The first incident report from MRC to CCH, required by the county’s notification policy, will be available.
MRC was already under the community’s microscope for its Thanksgiving night release of 20-24 tons of spent catalyst last year, which lasted until the next day. In that instance, MRC didn’t notify CCH. Health officials found out via media reports the following Saturday.
The spent catalyst was comprised of elevated levels of aluminum, barium, chromium, nickel, vanadium, and zinc, all of which can cause respiratory problems.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is investigating MRC for the Thanksgiving incident. County supervisors also put together an oversight committee, including residents from affected areas, to investigate whether the release increased risk of health problems in the community due to environmental contamination. The panel is also looking at what caused the release.
A toxicologist hired by the county said in June that the November release didn’t increase public health risks from exposure of hazardous materials in nearby soil.
However, that didn’t account for any health effects the release may have had on humans who breathed in the dust during the release and in the immediate days afterward, county officials said.
8 comments
# American Citizen you nailed that one on your past post. Great job.
I work there. I know what comes out of that place. People are always so quick to assume….
The article mentions:
“didn’t contain high levels of toxic metals”
“doesn’t pose an increased, long-term risk to public health”
“MRC said coke dust primarily contains carbon and is chemically similar to charcoal”
Someone who lives near the MRC posted a picture of their hot tub cover. The was a pool of what looked like black used motor oil in a low spot. Apparently the marine layer fog condenses overnight and normally leaves drops of clear water. When it condensed on the layer of coke dust it looks like black used motor oil.
Today I learned that the coke dust contains carbon and is chemically similar to charcoal. That explains why it looks like black used motor oil but I sure would not want it on my garden plants, garden soil, or anywhere where adults, teens, children, or babies, pets, wildlife, etc. can get exposed to it.
The MRC facility used to be owned by Shell. At the time it was deemed to be a safe operation. The facility aged to the point that it was apparently not worthwhile to Shell to continue to operate it. Rather than tear down and possibly rebuild it, Shell was able to bail out by selling the facility to PBF Energy who created a new company, Martinez Refining Company, which is known as MRC.
I have been wondering how did we get into a situation where people were allowed to build in a place such as slump prone “Rolling Hills” or that oil and chemical refineries are near residences or farms?
Yea right, I’m sure it’s toxic to something..
Product, byproduct and waste is toxic from a refinery.
So is the gas coming from the tailpipe of your car. Yet you continue to drive.
Sounds like you’re saying that tail pipe emissions are justification for corporations to pollute.
you have carbon filters for your water in your refrigerator. COKE is half burned coal so nothing but carbon there.
I guess you could say “It’s all natural” “of course this is sarcasm”
Of course they do…… think they’re going to openly publicize that they released toxic materials?? That would be major league lawsuits….. keep believing what they tell you, and have some kool aid too. .
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