A fire at Martinez Refining Company on Feb. 1 released chemicals that can cause cancer and heart and lung disease, but strong winds pushed most of the hazardous smoke away from populated areas, according to Contra Costa County Health Services.
In a statement, Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli on Tuesday revealed how fortunate the Martinez community was that afternoon, and how close the refinery fire was to becoming a public health crisis after a hydrocarbon leak led to 200-foot-tall plumes of smoke that could be seen for miles around the Martinez refinery.
“This could have been much worse,” Tzvieli said. “We got lucky this time. But our community shouldn’t have to rely on luck.”
At 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, refinery workers had opened equipment for planned maintenance of a processing unit that had been shut down earlier in the week when they smelled gas. A hydrocarbon leak from the equipment ignited. Six refinery workers were evaluated by medical personnel and released.
“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,” according to the agency.
There was a brief period when the smoke from the fire stayed closer to the ground and measurements of dangerous particulate matters – including benzene, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and xylene – were measured at a high level, the agency said. Health officials believe the brief period of elevated levels is not expected to have a significant impact on the public’s health.
Another update about the incident is expected in March as part of a 30-day follow-up report as mandated by Contra Costa County Health. The county is hiring an independent firm to conduct a root-cause analysis to determine why the accident happened and how future incidents can be prevented in the future.
Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston said she is concerned about the release of chemicals and combustion byproducts on the health of her district, which includes the area around 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 said. “My top priority continues to be the health and safety of the community.”