Residents of California city warned not to eat food grown in gardens after toxic dust release

MARTINEZ, Calif. (KRON) — A Northern California neighborhood continues to be coping with the aftermath of a November incident through which the Martinez Refining Firm didn’t notify the general public of the discharge of poisonous mud.

The unintended launch of a “spent catalyst” from the refinery started the evening on Nov. 24, 2022, and continued into the early hours of Nov. 25, showering the encircling neighborhood of Martinez in 20 tons of metal-laden mud, well being officers mentioned.

Because the mud launch stays beneath investigation, the Contra Costa Well being Division cautioned residents of town east of San Francisco in opposition to consuming produce grown in uncovered gardens.

“Meals grown in soil that incorporates sure metals could pose well being considerations – anybody who’s rising meals is inspired to know the make-up of their soil,” wrote the well being division. “Till additional environmental testing is full, the well being division recommends not consuming meals grown in soil that will have been uncovered to the spent catalyst.”

“Simply this morning, a pal of mine was asking me about gardening recommendation, and he or she desires to plant a backyard along with her younger youngsters,” mentioned Heidi Taylor, whose backyard stuffed with produce was blanketed by a number of the 20 tons of mud. “Oh my god, don’t put it within the soil. The very first thing I mentioned to her was, you higher have a container. That is container gardening time now due to what they did.”

County Public Well being Director Dr. Ori Tzvieli mentioned a toxicologist shall be employed to assessment the information the well being division and hazmat staff accumulate all through the month.

“We’re trying mainly to see if there’s proof of contamination, the place it’s, how deep it’s and if sure, what must be finished to remediate the scenario. So, till we all know, we actually advocate not consuming meals grown in soil that’s been uncovered to the spent catalyst,” mentioned Tzvieli.

The mud doesn’t simply pose a well being risk by way of the soil – the white powder may have created respiration and respiratory impacts for Martinez residents uncovered to it again in November.

The long-term well being impacts are “tough to establish right now,” the well being division mentioned.

The Martinez Refining Firm didn’t notify well being officers in regards to the launch, main the county to contemplate enforcement motion in opposition to the corporate. The general public well being division’s investigation into the November incident has been turned over to the district lawyer’s workplace for assessment.

Taylor mentioned she is contemplating planting sure flowers that may assist pull toxins out of the soil. She is anxious about throwing the filth away for concern of doubtless contaminating a landfill.

The Martinez Refining Firm has notified Contra Costa Well being Companies of upcoming upkeep at its facility. It can trigger flaring that may be seen from the encircling space by way of Monday.