Dangerous Gas Used by LA County Oil Refineries Threatens CA Communities

Modified hydrofluoric acid (MHF) is a corrosive acid that is used in large quantities in two oil refineries in Los Angeles County. To protect workers and our communities from this dangerous chemical, the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board (SCAQMD) must act now and pass regulations to phase out MHF.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hydrogen fluoride gas, at low levels, can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. At higher levels or in combination with skin contact, it can even cause death.

We need a complete ban of this dangerous, volatile chemical, not an 8-year long process allowing refineries just to "mitigate" the danger, while continuing to use MHF. There are much safer alternatives used now by other refineries. We are calling for these to be used instead of MHF, in a planned, phase-in over 4 years.

Act now to tell SCAQMD to protect communities with a phase out of MHF.

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Protect our communities, ban MHF

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Dear South Coast Air Quality Management District Board, I ask that the SCAQMD adopt a strong Rule 1410 mandating MHF replacement with a safe alternative as expeditiously as possible. I oppose any agreement between the SCAQMD and refineries that allows MHF alkylation to continue. Mitigation systems might reduce but can’t eliminate the effects of a larger MHF release and could fail completely. MHF alkylation is too great a risk in LA County, which is the most densely populated urban area in the US and an earthquake hotspot. The US Chemical Safety Board and SCAQMD staff have both affirmed that a MHF release could be catastrophic, killing tens of thousands and permanently harming hundreds of thousands. Evacuation is impossible due to high population density. Residents have been trying to eliminate MHF and HF since 1987. Clearly, 36 years is a long enough transition time. A complete ban of this dangerous, volatile chemical is needed, not an 8-year process. We are calling for safe alternatives to be used instead of MHF, in a planned, phase-in over 4 years.

Pictured above is aftermath of the 2015 ExxonMobil refinery explosion. Photo via the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazardous Investigation Board.