Health Impacts of the Feb. 1 Martinez Refinery Fire

We understand that many people in our community are concerned about the potential health impacts of the Feb. 1 fire at Martinez Refining Company (MRC). Contra Costa Health (CCH) has been actively monitoring the situation, and our health officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli recently addressed key questions in a video update.

The fire burned hazardous materials, and CCH's air quality measurements showed toxic chemicals were in the air during the event.

However, readings from our Hazardous Materials team showed that most chemical levels remained below dangerous thresholds. Favorable wind conditions also helped disperse the smoke, minimizing prolonged exposure for nearby residents.

For more details, view our infographic here.