Chevron Richmond Refinery Linked to Cancer Risk for Nearby Residents

The Bay Area Air District has found that residents living near the Chevron Richmond Refinery are at a higher risk of developing cancer and other health ailments from exposure to toxic pollutants.

Preliminary findings released by the air district estimate the maximum cancer risk for these individuals at 37 in a million, exceeding the district's risk threshold of 10 in a million.

The assessment found that 74% of this cancer risk comes from the pollutant benzo (a)pyrene, which has been classified as an environmental and health hazard by the National Institutes of Health.

Chevron released a FAQ document stating that the results are 'potential 'worst-case' numbers derived by making unlikely, risk-maximizing assumptions.'