[sammyg2]

Note this is from an extremist activist group so is likely exaggerated for effect.
But I've worked in the HF alky plant at both of these refineries in my career and don't want to go near either of them again.

Injury and Death Maps
EPA “Worst Case Scenario” Maps Understate Dangers of Modified Hydrofluoric Acid (MHF)

The EPA requires refineries using modified hydrofluoric acid (MHF) to prepare an “Offsite Consequence Analysis” report estimating the effects of a “worst case” release of MHF.
Upon MHF release, a dense ground hugging cloud of hydrofluoric acid (HF) will form.
The two black circles on the area map below represent the official EPA reports “scenario maps” from the Torrance and Valero, Wilmington refineries. The HF cloud would originate at the refinery, in the middle of a zone. It would spread in a plume in the direction of the breeze. Wind direction determines which area inside a risk zone will get the most HF exposure. The cloud’s HF concentration, highest near the refinery, gradually declines as it drifts.


Map courtesy of Dr. Sally Hayati


The EPA uses Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs) to measure toxicity.
The scenario map radius (black circles) is an estimate of how far the HF cloud would travel with a concentration greater than ERPG-2 (20 parts per million [ppm]).
Inside this risk zone, short-term exposure to the HF cloud (defined as one hour) could cause serious and irreversible health effects. Closer to the refinery, for the first 2.0 miles, HF concentration would exceed ERPG-3 (50 ppm). Inside this smaller zone, “life threatening” health effects (death) could occur with short-term exposure to the cloud.

These official scenarios are horrifying. A total of 615,524 residents within these zones live with the constant fear of death or irreversible and serious health effects if such an MHF release were to occur.

The cities most affected are Torrance, Redondo Beach, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, West Carson, Los Angeles, Lomita, Long Beach, and Hawthorne.
The residents of cities outside the zones could also suffer health effects as the plume moves beyond, such as choking, burning eyes and respiratory tract, pain, and panic.
So-called “sensitive receptors,” such as grandparents, cancer patients, asthma sufferers, and our babies and toddlers, are not included in determining ERPG levels and would suffer health effects at lower concentrations than these levels indicate.

But it gets worse, because industry data show that these risk zones are grossly understated. It took a year-long investigation, but TRAA unearthed the data despite trade secret rights, redacted official reports, and a complete lack of cooperation or assistance from local government and regulators.
The two black circles on the area map below represent Dr. Sally Hayati’s estimate of what the scenario maps should be for MHF as it actually is, 93-94% HF, barely modified and no different than HF in dense cloud formation upon release.

https://www.traasouthbay.com/maps/