AQMD Warns of Chemical Used at 4 Refineries

Hydrogen fluoride, used by four Los Angeles area refineries to manufacture unleaded gasoline, poses a greater public safety threat than an alternative chemical used by other refineries, according to a South Coast Air Quality Management District staff report.

The report, released Wednesday, used computer modeling to simulate the effects of controlled and uncontrolled spills of hydrogen fluoride and its alternative, sulfuric acid.

The AQMD board is scheduled to consider banning hydrogen fluoride on March 2. On March 6, Torrance voters will decide on a measure that would effectively prevent Mobil Oil Corp. from using hydrogen fluoride at its Torrance refinery.

The AQMD said other refineries in the state that use hydrogen fluoride are Ultramar’s Wilmington plant, and the Powerine and Golden West refineries in Santa Fe Springs.