Coexisting with Industry
From Environmental Indicator, Volume 2 / Spring 1999
April 1, 1999

by Sharon Fuller

Last month Richmond residents and neighboring communities were once again reminded of the harsh realities of being neighbors with a petrochemical giant. On March 25, 1999 at 2:30 p.m. an explosion and fire at the Chevron refinery in Richmond caused large plumes of black smoke to blanket the Richmond area. Initial readings taken at Chevron’s fence line by county health officials revealed low levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and Nitrous Oxide. Data on particulate matter levels were unavailable.

The emergency alert system immediately notified businesses and residents 20 miles upwind of the fire in Martinez, yet failed to notify residents near the refinery until much later if at all. Within hours hundreds of Richmond residents complaining of breathing difficulties, irritated eyes and sore throats sought medical assistance at nearby hospitals.

“The shelter in place advisory was a precaution only and probably not necessary in most areas” said Charles Nicholson of the Contra Costa County Hazardous Material Division. Nicholson further stated that there were no public health risks and that residents living near freeways were at much greater risk from hydrocarbons and other gases than what was emitted from the Chevron explosion and fire.

The short-term health effects of exposure to sulfur dioxides include constriction of the airways in asthmatics and other sensitive individuals. Chronic exposure to sulfur dioxide, sulfate and particulate pollution causes significantly higher incidences of coughing, bronchitis, and lower respiratory infections in children.

In the wake the February 23, 1999 Tosco fire in which four lives were lost and a score of other chemical accidents over the past 10 years in Contra Costa County elected officials are scrambling to reassure the public that harmonious coexistence with the petrochemical industry is possible. Assembly bill AB1127 introduced by Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento would allow Cal-OSHA to inspect and shut down operations that were found to be unsafe at county refineries. The Industrial Safety Ordinance would also allow an outside agency access to the facility for investigation and immediate closure if so warranted by county officials. The Chevron refinery in Richmond is not under county jurisdiction, but Tom Butt of the Richmond City Council would like to see that changed. Butt feels that the county rather than the city should have oversight over the Chevron refinery and has recommended the adoption of the county Industrial Safety Ordinance.

Although both of these actions seek to strengthen regulations, the allocation of adequate resources for enforcement of current regulations let alone new regulations is not clearly addressed.

California agencies are already inundated with numerous layers of environmental laws and regulations. In fact, many times enforcement efforts are delayed due to the inability of regulatory agencies to determine which agency actually has jurisdiction. Stiffer regulations and penalties will not improve safety at refineries if the regulations proposed are not enforceable. It is important to remember that county governance of the Tosco refinery did not prevent the fatal accident in February. Fortunately, State Senator Don Perata, D-Alameda appears to be on the right track with respect to enforceable laws. Perata has introduced legislation that would allow criminal charges to be filed against negligent executives in addition to substantially increasing penalties. Enforcement of such legislation just might be a sufficient deterrent for corporate negligence.

Human rights and the environment are intricately linked. Recent studies have found that an individual’s mental and physical well-being is directly linked to their environment. All residents deserve a safe, clean and healthy environment and Richmond residents are no exception.