The Region - News from Sept. 18, 1986

Asbestos contamination at a long-idle San Pedro oil refinery was ordered cleaned up to avert a “potentially serious public health hazard.” Los Angeles City Atty. James Hahn obtained a Superior Court order compelling Western Fuel Oil Co. to dispose of the contamination in soil and air around the 60-acre site that the company leases at 2100 N. Gaffey St. The asbestos was used to insulate refinery equipment, but it is now deteriorating and accumulating on the ground, Hahn said. The refinery has not been used since shortly after World War II.