Health officials say they have requested a report from the refinery, which will give them a better indication of how much of this coke dust was released.
Tuesday afternoon, a team was out collecting samples in areas that may have been impacted. Some Martinez residents, who live near the refinery, did see small amounts of the black ash on their cars."There is background trace metals, in general, in the environment. But if there is more trace metals than expected, or other substances, than there are potential health impacts," explains Sofe Mekuria, Deputy Health Officer for Contra Costa Health.
United States Congressman John Garamendi, who represents this part of Contra Costa County, says this repeat pattern is a big concern.