With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
AQMD reviewing new toxic chemical leak at Torrance Refinery
Listen
• 1:01
An explosion at an ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance caused four minor injuries on Wednesday, February 18, 2015.
(
Daniella Segura/KPCC
)
Air quality inspectors were at the Torrance Refinery Monday following up on a toxic chemical spill over the weekend. Five gallons of Modified Hydrofluoric Acid leaked from a hose as it was being transferred from a tanker truck to a container at the Torrance Refinery.
When exposed to air, the acid can turn into a ground-hugging fog that can travel for miles and hurt or kill those in its path. In this case a worker doused the leaking vapor with water and the chemical stayed within refinery grounds.
The spill happened at 8:17 Saturday morning. Soon after, Torrance Fire Department posted to Facebook and Twitter that it was responding to a leak at the refinery. It did not name the chemical. And because the leak was small, Torrance did not use its citywide notification system, a spokesman said.
Sally Hayati, a retired scientist who has studied the chemical and pressed for it to be banned, says the city didn’t do enough to alert the public.
Support for LAist comes from
"Personally, I’d like to see the siren sound at every release and I’d like the emergency alerts to go out immediately to all people," she said.
The refinery owner did not respond to a request for comment about the release.
The Air Quality Management District’s board will review a proposal to add more safety controls over the chemical. That’s coming up in February.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist