The Richmond City Council meets Tuesday, Oct. 27, to hear the Bay Area Air District's preliminary health risk assessment of the Chevron Richmond Refinery, the first under the district's Rule 11-18, the Grandview Independent reported. A special meeting starts at 4 p.m.; the regular meeting is at 6 p.m.
What the assessment found
- Cancer risk: A maximum of 37 additional chances in a million over a lifetime of exposure. The Air District requires action at 10 in a million.
- Short-term risk: Also above the threshold, driven by one-hour exposures. Long-term non-cancer risk was below the threshold.
- Sources: About 74% of the cancer risk comes from benzo[a]pyrene leaking from small pipe fittings and storage tanks. The short-term risk comes from benzene evaporating from the wastewater treatment system, with one bio-reactor accounting for more than 80%, the Air District said.
The assessment covers only routine emissions, not flaring, traffic or other nearby sources, the Grandview Independent noted. If the findings are confirmed, Chevron must submit a plan to bring risk below the thresholds or install the best available retrofit controls. Public comment is open until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23.
Also on the agenda
Councilmembers will weigh competing traffic safety proposals after two pedestrian deaths on 23rd Street, including high-visibility crosswalks with flashing beacons, and a $3.67 million state grant for a youth cannabis prevention program.