Contra Costa Health issues alert after Martinez Refining Company flaring

Martinez Refining Company experienced an “internal electrical issue” affecting operations at 10:53 a.m. Monday that resulted in flaring at the site and complaints of an odor from Martinez and Benicia neighbors.

Contra Costa Health issued a Level 1 alert for the community regarding the odors and flaring at the MRC refinery and launched its Hazardous Materials Program to conduct air monitoring of the area, which did not detect any results that posed a risk to public health or further action.