AQMD Study on Chemical Safety Rapped by City
- Share via
Furious that their representatives on a region-wide hydrogen fluoride task force were not given a chance to contribute to a draft report, Torrance City Council members this week rejected the document, which suggests that the highly toxic chemical should not be banned.
A Torrance staff report sharply criticized a draft report from the Air Quality Management District for failing to consider earthquake damage, which could knock out crucial water spray safety systems; the dangers of transporting the chemical through urban areas; the considerable lag time involved in installing new safety equipment, and for relying too heavily on an as-yet untried evacuation system.
The highly toxic chemical is used at Mobil Corp.’s Torrance refinery to make high-octane gasoline.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.