Emergency at Martinez Refining Co. (Bay Area)

KRON ^ | 4/23/02

[vikingchick]

Shelter In Place: Martinez

This is a message from Contra Costa Health Services.

There is an emergency at Martinez Refining Company.

Residents in Martinez are advised to shelter in place. Go inside, close all windows and doors, turn off all heaters, air conditioners and fans.

If not using the fireplace, close fireplace dampers and vents and cover cracks around doors and windows with tape or damp towels.

Media news networks will continue to carry updated emergency information. Stay off the telephone unless you have a life threatening emergency.

[Constitution Day]

[DJ88]

This is what I found about sulfur dioxide on the web. It sounds pretty nasty:

"Sulfur Dioxide is an extremely toxic gas. Exposure may result in loss of consciousness or death. Sulfur dioxide is a colorless, nonflammable gas with a characteristic, irritating, pungent odor. It is heavier than air. It reacts violently with ammonia, acetylene, chlorine, ethylene oxide, amines, butadiene and others. Reacts with steam and water. Attacks metals. Extremely irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract."

If the wind is only blowing at 5mph, it could be around for a long time.

[vikingchick]

Thanks for the follow-up.

[hsmomx3]

Oh, I get it now. The oil companies are reporting terrible earnings this week. This explains it perfectly.

[Cold Heat]

Just a fart from the cracking unit. Happens all the time but it's not good in the daytime since everyone can see it. Its not really dangerous except mildly corosive to paint.

[vannrox]

TEXACO

Check for related News on Texaco. Are they just having a bad day, or are all the plants and oil rigs crumbling?

[Zathras]

For those who don't know, several minority comunities sprang up around the Martinez plant and as soon as they have a "problem", run to the phone to call a lawyer to file suit.

From my brother who used to live in Martinez.

[shadowman99]

What is the practical application for Sulfur Dioxide? Why is it refined near a populated area if it is so toxic?

[DJ88]

I thought this was a SHELL plant..is Shell and Texaco the same company?

[babylonian]

Folks in the Bay area must still be falling for "duck and cover"!

[CFW]

No problem. Sometimes I feel as if I'm back in elementary school. You know, when the school did those "disaster drills" where you went into the hall, put a book over your head, and then bent down to kiss your ....

oh, wait a minute maybe that is not how it went.

[DJ88]

"Winds are coming out of the northwest at about 5 mph, he said, and they are blowing the material into Martinez.

If the winds are blowing out of the NW, that means that they are pushing this stuff more inland, wouldn't it?

[EggsAckley]

"ALL CLEAR" issued at 1:13PM. It's all over.

Announced on KSFO just now.

[Cold Heat]

It is used in refining and is also a by product. Tons of SO2 are released through normal operations of a refinery every year. Not really a big deal, unless it is in your backyard. Your cars rust out quicker.

[BOBTHENAILER]

What is the practicle application of Sulfur Dioxide

Don't know about the practical application, but it is sometimes produced in association with oil & gas from the wells themselves. I would guess the refinery is refining raw crude containing H2S. I'm unaware that anyone would want to do anything other than remove H2S from the raw product. It can be safely removed by chemical interaction. My previous post that said it can't be smelled was wrong. It has a "rotten egg" odor.

[Cold Heat]

A variant of it is used to put the smell in propane gas. Sometimes called aromatics. The stuff is also emitted when a refinery running at near capacity has a glitch. Paper mills emit it as well!

[BOBTHENAILER]

Man do I feel stupid. Even though I read sulfur dioxide, my brain was thinking Hydrogen Sulfide. Thanks for keeping it right.

[DJ88]

Great news! Thanks!

[Vinnie]

Ever struck a match and got a whiff that knocked you down? That was sulfur dioxide.

[Cold Heat]

Yup, H2S is some nasty stuff. Used in chemical production. Deadly.