"After residents complained of odors from the refinery on last Monday, Contra Costa Health's investigation was summarized in the 72-hour incident report, which found approximately 1,075 pounds of sulfur dioxide were released during flaring that stemmed from an electrical issue. Though no injuries were reported from the incident, the release of chemicals has reignited scrutiny and frustration among Martinez and Benicia residents who have witnessed a gas leak explosion, the release of carcinogenic byproducts and skyscraper-sized smokestacks from the refinery in recent years."
"MRC received eight odor-related calls from the community related to the incident, the report states. All monitoring results for Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were zero and no odors were detected. Affected units were stabilized or shut down, and flaring stopped. At 10:50 a.m. on Jan. 26, an operational upset related to an electrical issue caused loud and visible flaring at MRC that spread the smell of sulfur dioxide, according to the report."
Approximately 1,075 pounds of sulfur dioxide were released during flaring that stemmed from an electrical issue at Martinez Refining Company. Flaring occurred at 10:50 a.m. on Jan. 26, produced loud visible flames and spread the smell of sulfur dioxide across Martinez and Benicia. Eight odor-related calls came from the community. A Level 1 alert was issued for Martinez and Benicia and hazardous materials teams swept the refinery borders and tested air. Monitoring detected a brief fenceline sulfur dioxide increase to a maximum of 200 parts per billion, below Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment exposure limits. No injuries were reported and affected units were stabilized or shut down within an hour.
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