The Region - News from Jan. 30, 1985

Small amounts of two airborne toxic substances have been found in the northern Santa Barbara County town of Casmalia. State and county health authorities said benzene and dioxane were found in concentrations ranging from 50 parts per billion to 200 ppb in the air of Casmalia, which has a hazardous waste dump in the vicinity. The concentrations of benzene, a lightweight hydrocarbon derived from petroleum and known to cause cancer in humans, and dioxane, a colorless aromatic liquid known to cause eye and nose irritation (not to be confused with dioxin) “do not represent an acute threat to public health” but “are of concern” the state Health Services Department’s toxic substances office in Los Angeles said.