Washington D.C. June 10, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced that it is deploying a team of chemical incident investigators to investigate a release of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid (HF) that occurred last Friday, June 7, 2024, at the Honeywell International Fluorine Products facility in Geismar, LA, that seriously injured a worker there
Honeywell reported that a contract maintenance employee was exposed to the HF while performing maintenance activities at the facility. The worker was hospitalized because of the exposure
According to the Daily Breeze, “a vacant work trailer caught fire at the Torrance Refining Company on Saturday, June 1, though officials said operations at the refinery were not impacted.” Daily Breeze link
It is worth noting that the refinery also endured an Unplanned Flaring Event on 05/30/2024 at 05:57 AM, the eighth unplanned event so far this year.
For the latest incident, Supervisor Janice Hahn posted:
Three temporary offices burned at the Torrance Refinery this weekend.
Worth remembering that this refinery is one of two in the state that uses highly toxic MHF. This fire is a reminder that accidents happen — and the wrong accident at this refinery could mean a mass casualty event.
MHF is too dangerous to have in our refineries and our communities will not be safe until it is gone.
State, Long Beach city and Port of Long Beach officials joined with Toyota Motor North America and FuelCell Energy this week to cheer the grand opening of the Tri-gen system that generates renewable hydrogen, electricity and water to support Toyota’s largest port facility on the continent. (See the Daily Breeze Article for more).
The Toyota Logistics Services Distribution Center Referred to in this attached article Is 4400 ft from the Valero Refinery’s alkylation unit. (See the map above).
Are they aware that they are in the high-risk area of an HF release from the Valero Refinery? Perhaps someone should warn them, or notify the Daily Breeze or other local newspaper.
An excellent article by paramedic Bradley Denney who suffered HF burns from a refinery accident. It gives much information about HF – its properties, dangers, treatment and its transport – in great detail.
Bradley Denney, RN/MICT, has been involved with the fire service for over 38 years and EMS for over 36 years. He has worked as a frontline firefighter and EMT to assistant fire chief and hazardous materials technician and paramedic. In 2007, he became a registered nurse. He has taught hazmat courses for fire, law enforcement and EMS, and taught HF-specific classes at the Kansas HazMat/WMD Symposium in 2006 and 2007. He also has over 15 years of experience working with HF acid in the oil refining industry. He was instrumental in initiating first aid protocols in the refinery emergency facility setting that ultimately would save his life.
Read the entire article from EMSWORLD here. The following, taken from the article, is part of his story:
I became interested in HF while working in an oil refinery that uses it as a catalyst to make high-octane gasoline. As a paramedic, I found the effects of HF on the human body fascinating. I learned what I could about it and began teaching HF safety to my coworkers.
Then, in 2001, I was involved in an HF incident in which I was seriously exposed. I had been sprayed with anhydrous HF at approximately 150 pounds of pressure when a ¾” pipe broke at an ell as I was preparing to remove a plug. The HF had eaten the threads inside the ell and the weight of my pipe wrench caused the damaged pipe to give way, spraying both my legs just below my groin, and my right forearm. That exposure began a battle for my life that continues today.
Luckily, our local EMS and emergency facility had been trained on the dangers of this acid and proper treatment. Many EMS and ER personnel have probably never heard of this dangerous compound, but all emergency services, fire or law enforcement personnel who operate near and may be called to respond to any facility that uses or manufactures a form of HF should receive yearly training on treatment for HF exposure. This information should be available from your county LEPC.
After I was burned, the HF acid penetrated the Nomex coveralls I was wearing under my coat. (The photo of my left leg shows the flame pattern caused by the splatter from acid hitting my right leg.) The fluoride immediately penetrated the skin and bound to the calcium and magnesium in my blood and body tissues, which caused severe heart arrhythmias about 1 hour post-burn.
I was flown by helicopter to a burn center at Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, despite the fact that I had at least 16% BSA, the burn center doctors and cardiologist refused to let me die. They called all over the world, looking for help from HF specialists and were told, “Make him comfortable, let his family say goodbye, and let him go.” Thank God, they refused and kept working on me. They stopped counting the defibrillator shocks after 15. (By the way, THAT HURTS!!!) By the grace of God, a very dedicated nurse, and those stubborn doctors, I am still here.
Washington, D.C. April 4, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) announced that the agency has launched investigations into toxic chemical releases at two facilities in Louisiana during 2023: the release of hydrogen fluoride (HF) and chlorine at the Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies facility in Geismar, LA in January 2023, and the release of ethylene oxide (EtO) at the Dow Chemical Louisiana Operations facility in Plaquemine, LA in July 2023.
Both incidents were reported to the CSB in accordance with the agency’s Accidental Release Reporting Rule (40 CFR Part 1604). (See the full announcement here).
On January 23, 2023, a heat exchanger ruptured at the Honeywell facility in Geismar, LA, resulting in an explosion and the release of approximately 870 pounds of hydrogen fluoride (HF) and 1,700 pounds of chlorine. Fortunately no one was injured, but officials had to close nearby highways as a caution.
On Tuesday, March 26th there was a Torrance Alert saying: “Torrance Alerts: Public – Refinery Incident [Torrance Refining Company] ALL CLEAR Information from TFD” along with a link to the alert website (which has now expired).
Normally there is an alert issued when the incident begins, to warn people to avoid the area, but not in this case.
TRAA contacted the AQMD, who finally replied with the following explanation:
Thank you for reaching out. My staff responded to an incident at the Torrance Refinery’s Alkylation Unit on the evening of March 26. At the time of staff’s arrival, there were no closures at Crenshaw Blvd. We were advised by TRC operators that a laser path sensor detected a minor MHF leak. An isobutane leak with suspected trace amounts of MHF in the feed occurred at a flange in the Alkylation Unit. Our staff observed discoloration at the flange and did not observe any other evidence inside the Alkylation Unit that would demonstrate additional leaks or unusual activity. The affected flange was removed from service for repairs. No point sensors or fenceline monitors detected the leak. Torrance Fire Department responded to this incident, but LA County Hazmat did not respond. I hope this addresses your concerns. Enjoy the rest of your day.
Sincerely,
Kevin Orellana
Senior Enforcement Manager Refinery/Energy/Retail Gasoline Dispensing Office of Compliance and Enforcement South Coast Air Quality Management District
TRAA learned informally that Crenshaw Boulevard may have been closed, which is why we ask them about it specifically. (The important thing about Crenshaw is that the fence line monitors do not run along that street which is about 500 feet from the HF tanks. It’s treated as part of the refinery so the first fence line monitors to the east are over a half a mile from the alkylation unit and the HF/MHF.)
We don’t know the timeline for when the AQMD reached the plant. We also contacted the refinery itself but they never answered. We also contacted the city and several city council members, but they did not answer Before the AQMD responded.
We are relieved that it was a minor HF leak, but wonder why the Torrance Alert system did not provide us the warning we should expect.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the release of a final revision to the Risk Management Plan (RMP) rule governing 11,740 facilities using dangerous chemicals, including 40+ oil refineries that use hydrofluoric acid (HF), a deadly chemical capable of causing thousands of deaths in a few minutes. (see attached “Summary Info Sheet”) (link)
The new RMP rule includes many positive improvements and states its goal is “to protect the health and safety of all communities by requiring industry to prevent accidental releases of dangerous chemicals that could otherwise cause deaths and injuries, damage property and the environment, or require surrounding communities to evacuate or shelter-in-place”. EPA 3/1/24. For some positive developments see the statement from Environmental Justice & Health Alliance (link).
However, the Rule fails to protect vulnerable Environmental Justice burdened communities living near HF refineries in 20 states. The EPA recognized that HF units are vulnerable to accidents, natural disasters, and terrorist acts. However, the new rule does not meet the standard set by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 20 other State AGs in their 2022 letter to the EPA which quoted the US Chemical Safety Board saying that it is “fully within the authority and responsibility of the EPA pursuant to …the [Chemical Disaster Rule] Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule (40 CFR Part 68.67) as well as through its General Duty Clause.” … “toimpose a robust safer technology protocol that will drive the remaining hydrofluoric acid-using refineries to identify and implement safer alternatives”
The new rule makes significant improvements over the Trump era version by restoring the requirement that HF refineries do an analysis of safer alternatives. It adds for the first time requirements to analyze the “practicality” of these alternatives, requiring HF refineries to state why they are not using safer chemicals. This provides the EPA a tool to “influence” HF refineries toward implementation of conversion. Many of the improvements over the draft rule stem from grass roots advocacy. For example, the United SteelWorkers scored victories in the significant expansion of worker participation in safety processes.
Many of the HF dangers highlighted by TRAA, as well as those alerted to by national security experts, are referenced in the EPA release. Nonetheless, TRAA sees this rule as a three-legged stool without its 3rd leg. Without requiremening conversion to a safer alternative, the rule does little to protect the community from a catastrophic, and potentially deadly, release of HF.
There are significant improvements in response to community demands but for the 14 million people living around HF refineries and the nearly 1,000,000 in Los Angeles County alone, this effort by the Biden administration to improve on the terrible record of the Trump administration is shockingly inadequate. Especially, when it is well known that President Biden and his family live within the circle of risk for the Trainer, Pennsylvania HF refinery. TRAA will not stop calling for exceptional action at the local, state or federal level to remove this exceptional danger of mass casualties.
On Friday, March 1st, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued long-awaited regulations to strengthen the Risk Management Program (RMP). The RMP requires roughly 12,000 industrial facilities that use or store extremely hazardous substances to develop Risk Management Plans that identify prevention and response measures for chemical releases.
The new rule restores critical disaster planning and prevention protections under the program after it was gutted in 2019 under the Trump administration.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, “The RMP was first established in 1996 and in the nearly 30 years since, the program has been subject to political tug-of-war. After the Biden-Harris administration took office, the EPA held a series of listening sessions, and in 2022, proposed the “Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention” rule. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) joined hundreds of organizations and individuals in commenting on the proposed rules and testifying at EPA’s public hearings. While the proposal restored many of the rollbacks under the Trump administration, it still left some to be desired in terms of preventing chemical disasters.“
While it doesn’t go as far as w TRAA would wish, it is a large improvement. For instance, according to the UCS
One of the most notable actions under this rule is that EPA finally created a public database with information about RMP facilities. For years, information about facilities was only accessible through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, which can be tedious and take a long time to fulfill, or by visiting EPA reading rooms in person. For years, the agency claimed that information about facilities could not be made public due to national security concerns. This was a major disservice to communities around these facilities, as well as to first responders, after an incident occurred. While EPA could have made these data available at any time, we are grateful that the agency is doing so now.
The online tool allows users to search by facility and company name, ID and NAICS code, location, and the chemicals and processes used there. Users can also access the facility’s most recent risk management plan online.
TRAA held a successful rally and march on Saturday, thanks to the many efforts of Isabel Douvan Schwartz, Zach Badaouie, Steve Goldsmith and numerous others.
Headline speaker Rep. Maxine Waters gave a rousing speech, as did local activists and politicians. Breaking news: Rep Waters announced that she will raise a bill in the House to force a conversion from HF. After music and speeches, the crowd marched from Columbia Park to the refinery entrance to show them we are still serious in our demand that the PBF Refinery convert from HF/MHF to one of the several “commercially proven, vastly safer alternatives.
A Los Angeles Times article proclaimed “Torrance residents fear continued use of hydrofluoric acid at Torrance Refinery endangers community“, and gave a very positive review of the rally. It also included a PBF statement “We are aware of the misleading and inaccurate claims by the activist group, which they have been making for years,” . TRAA uses only information provide by the oil industry, government agencies or highly vetted experts. We would welcome a dialogue with PBF for them to identify the “misleading statements” so we can clarify or correct any errors. We also want to learn the contents of their report on alternative chemicals that was required by October 2022 and has been hidden by them and the Torrance Fire Department.
In a response to the LA Times article, we wrote the following letter to the editor:
Thanks for your February 17th article on Torrance Refinery Action Alliance’s community demonstration for conversion from deadly chemical HF/MHF used at only two refineries in California — both in LA County — to a vastly safer, commercially-proven alternative. Congressmember Maxine Waters broke the news that she would introduce legislation echoing the words of AG Rob Bonta “to drive the remaining hydrofluoric acid-using refineries to identify and implement safer alternatives”
Torrance Refinery owner PBF, dismissed TRAA as “activists making mis-leading statements.” Statements found on http://www.TRAA.website are from industry, government, or highly-vetted expert sources. We challenge PBF to give specifics on these “misleading statements”, so we can clarify or correct. We advocate for transparency and accountability so why are they hiding the reports required by state regulation on proven safer alternatives.
US Chemical Safety Board states that a large HF release nearly occurred in Torrance in 2015 possibly killing thousands. They urge converting to a vastly safer commercially proven alternative. To us these are not misleading statements, they’re chilling!
Steven Goldsmith, President, Torrance Refinery Action Alliance
Candidates questioned about HF at Candidate Forums
At all 4 recent Torrance City Council candidate forums questions were asked about the candidates’ views on HF, showing that this issue is still very prominent in the community. Over 500 handouts were distributed about the upcoming February 17th event at Columbia park. Many attendees were aware of the issue and supportive of conversion to a safer alternative chemical.
Join us – Rally this Saturday
Join us on Saturday, February 17th from 10am until 1pm@ Columbia Park, Prairie Ave. (north of 190th St.) in Torrance, CA
Learn more about the dangers of Hydrofluoric Acid (HF/MHF) used at the Torrance & Wilmington refineries, hear from experts & elected officials, and rally for the safer community we all deserve! Join us in telling Valero Energy Corporation (based in Texas) & PBF Energy, Inc. (based in New Jersey) that communities deserve safer places to live, learn, and work!
While these private companies rake in hundreds of millions of dollars off of the South Bay, their investment into safer chemicals and safe practices remains lacking. Let’s make sure these two oil refining companies are protecting the safety of all children at nearby schools, of elderly people out for a walk, of our pets and wildlife, and for all! TRAA says, “OUR LIVES ARE WORTH THE COST TO CONVERT!”
For more information about the dangers of HF/MHF, a list of commercially-available alternatives to the deadly chemical, and the status of the fight for safer communities/working conditions, visit us at www.traa.website & join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TorranceRefineryActionAlliance
Torrance Refinery Action Alliance 