Coke dust, a petroleum refining byproduct, has reportedly been released Saturday evening from the Martinez Refining Company's facility, the Bay Area Air Quality Management DistrictAir District inspectors are investigating the incident, the agency announced, adding that Contra Costa County officials are also responding. "The Air District’s investigation is ongoing," officials said.
The Air District's Saturday evening announcement comes after a hazardous response team was dispatched to the Martinez Refining Company's site on July 11 for a previous "coke dust" incident. "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," said Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover regarding the July 11 incident. "We understand this is an ongoing concern for our community and timely notification is critical."
A Martinez resident shows KTVU dust particles collected on his vehicle after a flaring event at the Martinez Refining Company in November 2022.