Chevron Refinery Emissions Exceed Allowable Cancer Risk Thresholds

Regulators in the Bay Area have released a preliminary health risk assessment for emissions from Chevron's Richmond refinery. The report found that the cancer risk for residents living near the facility is 37 in a million, exceeding the allowable threshold of 10 in a million set by air district rules. This means that 37 additional people per million may develop cancer due to exposure over a lifetime.

The Bay Area Air District's assessment also found short-term non-cancer health risks above the allowable threshold from exposure to toxic air contaminants for an hour, but long-term risks fell below the threshold. Most of the cancer risk comes from benzo[a]pyrene escaping through leaks in pipe fittings and storage tanks, while benzene evaporating from the refinery's wastewater treatment system is responsible for most short-term health risks.

Chevron spokespersons argued that the district's analysis overstates current emissions and includes outdated information. They noted that other air districts in Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley have cancer risk action levels at 25 in a million and 100 in a million, respectively.