The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice started assisting the Environmental Protection Agency’s investigation this week
MARTINEZ — Federal agents have started asking questions about the 24 tons of toxic, dusty residue thatThe Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice started assisting the Environmental Protection Agency investigate the incident this week, going door-to-door to survey residents about their experience, according to news reports and a news release from a community spokesperson.
But within a few days, the Contra Costa County Health Department alerted residents that the dust — a byproduct of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel refined at the facility — actually contained aluminum, barium, chromium and other hazardous metals. Those chemicals are linked to nausea, vomiting, respiratory issues, immune system dysfunction, cancer and even death.
“That memory is just seared into my brain and it freaks me out,” Taylor told the newspaper, adding that she also ate homemade applesauce and peppermint tea from the family’s backyard trees and garden. “I understand that may sound a little crazy … but people don’t understand what it’s like to live in this constant fear and anxiety of not knowing what these toxic metals will do.”
She said the soil sample locations — reaching as far as Benicia and El Sobrante — were chosen based on a map of where the plume of particles likely landed, using models from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, residents’ observations and wind simulations.
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