HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08111992 - 2.15 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORIS
FROM: Maris Finucane, Health Services Director _ >: Contra
Costa
DATE: August 11, 1992 County
SUBJECT: Report on Hazardous Materials Incidents In Contra Costa
SPECM REQUESTM OR RECOMMEIIOATiON(S)i BAMGFAXMD AND JUST111F7CATM
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Accept report by Health Services Department regarding health effects resulting from recent hazardous
materials accidents.
2. Authorize the Health Services Department to establish an Environmental Coordinating Council, which
would be comprised of representatives from the community and industry, following consultation with the
Hazardous Materials Commission.
3. Direct the Health Services Department to continue meeting with all relevant agencies to coordinate
sampling and monitoring activities and review enforcement authority.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff time for the Environmental Coordinating Council.
BACKGROUND:
Health Effects Report: On May 29, June 22 and June 23, 1992, three industrial facilities in Contra Costa
County experienced significant accidents, ranging from a release of unburned hydrocarbons to a major fire
involving sulfuric acid. These accidents raise serious concerns by the public and the Health Services
Department about the potential health effects of living or working near an industrial plant and about the risk
of future accidents.
The Health Services Department received complaints from residents in the aftermath of the Pacific Refining
and Rhone-Poulenc accidents of headaches, nausea, burning eyes, sore throats, skin rashes and an
exacerbation of respiratory diseases such as asthma. In addition, these incidents have created unneeded
stress and anxiety directly affecting the quality of life for many Contra Costa residents.
Because of the questions and concerns raised by residents about potential short and long-term health
consequences from the three incidents, the HSD researched these issues, including consulting with leading
toxicologists at the Cal-EPA. We issued a report on July 20 summarizing out findings. It is attached for your
information.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES sirNATURE
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON Aucrust 11, 1992 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER
Approved Recommendations Nos. 1 and 3; APPROVED Recommendation No. 2 as amended to authorize the Health Services
Director to confer with the Hazardous Materials Comnission and the Public and Environmental. Health Advisory
Comi.ttee and report to the Board on the organizational structure for the proposed Environmental Coordinating
Council.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT - - ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
CC: Hazardous Materials Commission 0.16 44LAAW Sre.v ATTESTED August 11, 1992
Hazardous Materials Council PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY �� '�j �_� DEPUTY
R
2
The report concluded that short-term health effects of the kind described above very likely did result from
the accidents. The report further concluded .that a single exposure to the released material cannot cause
cancer. The report also stressed the difficulty in obtaining samples during and after an incident.
In order to discuss this report with the affected communities, on July 20th, the Health Services Department
convened a meeting of local,representatives from community groups throughout the county that are
concerned about hazardous materials issues. Citizen groups from Richmond,Pt.Richmond,Crockett,Rodeo,
Martinez and Pittsburg were invited as were broad-based organizations like the Audubon Society and League
of Women Voters. We set up the meeting to communicate with residents about the Health Services
Department's assessment of the health effects of the recent incidents and to hear their concerns directly.
Although each community is unique, many of the issues are shared.
Some of the residents stated that our report "sugar-coated" the truth. The report is based on the scientific
literature and is the result of our best professional medical judgement. In addition, the Health Services
Department has repeatedly stressed -- through the report and presentations -- that any exposure to
accidentally-released material from an industrial plant is unacceptable and that no resident should be
subjected to health effects because of an accident at a nearby industrial plant.
Overall, the July 20th meeting was a positive first step. At the same time, we also realized that an ongoing
forum was needed to develop solutions and implement them.
Proposal to Establish an Environmental Coordinating Council: The HSD is proposing to establish an
Environmental Coordinating Council. This Council would be comprised of representatives from local
environmental and civic organizations, the general public and industry that reflect the geographic and ethinic
diversity of the county. . We would request representation from the following:
Environmental groups, such as the West County Toxics Coalition, various Sierra Club chapters, and
Citizens for a Safe Environment. Contra Costa representatives from San Francisco-based
environmental groups, such as Citizens for a Better Environment,would also be invited to participate.
Citizen groups, such as the Rodeo Citizens Association,'the League of Women Voters, and Delta
2000.
Public health organizations, such as the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society.
General public (one from each Supervisorial District).
All major industrial facilities.
The issues that would be discussed with the proposed Council include: Hazardous Materials Incidents;
Emergency Planning and Community Notification; Community Health Studies; Monitoring; the Risk
Management and Prevention Program.
We propose that the full Council meet every quarter. Furthermore, we propose that subcommittees be
formed, with representation from both the public and industry, to address each specific project or issue, such
as community notification or health surveys. These could meet monthly.
Other Action Steps: The HSD "recognizes the difficulty in and the current limitations of sampling techniques
that are used. In order to maximize resources and avoid duplication, the HSD is requesting the Cal-EPA
to convene an inter-agency task force to assess the current state-of-the art regarding sampling and monitoring
technologies and how the various agencies can better coordinate our efforts. Second, the HSD will convene
a meeting with the various regulatory agencies to assess our overall regulatory authority and determine what
gaps may exist.
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