Chevron Oil Spill Prompts East Bay Health Advisory

Parts of Richmond, North Richmond and San Pablo are under a public health advisory Tuesday afternoon due an “incident” at the Chevron Richmond Refinery.

The Contra Costa County Community Warning System notified impacted residents just before 4 p.m., warning that individuals with respiratory sensitivities are at most risk of adverse reactions.

Contra Costa Fire Protection District said that the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Fish and Game and a hazmat team are responding to what a Nixle alert is calling an oil spill in the bay. Reports indicate oil has been detected at Keller Beach.

Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia said in a tweet that the incident amounts to a 5 gallon per minute petroleum leak.

There is currently a 5 gallon per min.leak of a petroleum product at the Chevron Richmond Long Wharf.

Chevron&Fire Agency on scene and in process of booming the leak. County HazMat in route. There is a Public Health Advisory In effect for Richmond, San Pablo and N. Richmond pic.twitter.com/6HWKocfgLR

— John Gioia (@supejohngioia) February 10, 2021

The warning indicates that while “most people will not be affected,” eye, skin, nose and throat irritation could become an issue for some. It is advised people use water to rinse any irritated areas of their body with water. 

This is a developing story.

Update 2/11: The oil spill ended up spilling 600 gallons of a toxic petroleum-water mixture into the San Francisco Bay. It was contained after 2 hours but authorities don’t know it will be all cleaned up.