MARTINEZ — Contra Costa County Health officials have asked the District Attorney to consider taking legal action against the Martinez Refining Company for violating state law by not promptly reporting it released toxic dust into the air over the Thanksgiving holiday, the agency announced Thursday.
More than 20 tons of metal-laden dust showered surrounding communities beginning on Thanksgiving Day and into the early hours of Nov. 25, a release blamed on a “spent catalyst,” officials said. The refinery did not report the release to the county’s Community Warning System or directly to CCH, as required by the county’s notification policy and state law.
Rather, CCH learned about the release from