Contra Costa Health Investigating Coke Dust Release by Martinez Refining Company

The Contra Costa Health Services HazMat responded to the release of dust from Martinez Refining Company Tuesday morning. Material from the release is visible on the ground in surrounding neighborhoods.

Contra Costa Health Services advises the public to avoid breathing or close contact with the material.

Martinez Refining Company reported through the Community Warning System that the released material was coke dust, a byproduct of the refining process. CCH is collecting samples for lab analysis.

At 11:04 am, the Bay Area Air Quality Control District issued the following statement:

The Air District is closely monitoring a petroleum coke release at MRC Refinery in Martinez. Inspectors investigating & responding to complaints, documenting any air quality violations & assisting first responders. Follow instructions from health officials. Check back for updates

At 12:53 pm, the Martinez Refining Company issued the following statement:

This morning the refinery experienced a brief release of Coke dust. We have issued a Community Warning System Level 1 notification, and our refinery personnel are conducting community monitoring. We have also notified appropriate agencies and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our neighbors.

If you have a claim or concern related to this morning’s release of Coke dust, or would like to speak with a company representative, please call our claims representative at 800-542-7113 and leave the following information:

Full Name
Complete Address
Telephone Number
Email address

3:30 PM UPDATE: Contra Costa Health Responding to Coke Dust Release at Martinez Refining Company

Contra Costa Health’s (CCH) Hazardous Materials program is investigating a hazardous materials release from the Martinez Refining Company (MRC) Tuesday morning.

MRC reported through the Community Warning System (CWS) that the released material was coke dust, a byproduct of the petroleum refining process.

The release left the material on the ground, parked cars, and other surfaces in the surrounding neighborhoods. CCH’s Hazardous Materials team is working to assess potential health impacts.

Wipe samples are being taken and will be sent to a lab for analysis. Results are expected by the end of the week. CCH will provide updates after the results are reviewed.

Coke dust is black and looks like soot. Use soap and water to clean impacted outdoor surfaces.

MRC notified CCH of the release around 10:20 a.m. through the CWS. MRC reported the release took place around 8:30 a.m. and lasted approximately one minute.

“We are very concerned about the delayed notification to the Community Warning System. We are once again responding to a refinery incident and trying to determine the health impacts,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover. “We understand this is an ongoing concern for our community and timely notification is critical.”

CCH requested a 72-hour report about the incident, which will be posted to cchealth.org.

It hasn’t been a kind few months for residents in the City of Martinez as they have had to deal with flaring, hazardous materials on local soils and a mercury spill.

Here is a recap: