Chevron Refinery Emissions Linked to Elevated Cancer Risk

Richmond residents have long expressed concerns about the air quality near the Chevron refinery. Recently, a report from the Bay Area Air District validated those fears, showing elevated cancer risks for people living nearby.

The district's preliminary health risk assessment found a maximum cancer risk of 37 in a million, more than three times the district's threshold. Short-term non-cancer health risks were also above the threshold, mostly tied to the refinery's wastewater treatment system.

Chevron has questioned the accuracy of the report, stating that it overstates the refinery's emissions and modeled health risk. The company is still within the 90-day period to respond before the findings are finalized.