Feuer Urges Study of Coke Dust Hazard at Port

Councilman Mike Feuer introduced a motion Friday seeking a review of the possible health risks posed by coke dust at the Port of Los Angeles, one day after the U.S. Customs Service announced plans to remove about 500 workers from the area.

Because of possible hazards from the dust, the U.S. Customs Service said Thursday that it will move its employees from a facility next to the Los Angeles Export Terminal, which handles and stores coal and petroleum coke.

“The city must determine whether these stores of coke . . . pose an unacceptable risk to health,” Feuer said.

Employees at the facility for years have been worried about contact with pollutants in the harbor area, especially coke dust, a known health hazard that spreads on the wind. Petroleum coke, used as an industrial fuel in Asia, contains cancer-causing agents. Studies have linked dust from the coal-like substance to respiratory illness and heart disease.

Feuer’s motion directs several city departments to report to the council within 30 days with an evaluation of the health risks posed by the coke stores and to make recommendations for abating any risk that may exist. It also calls for the departments to present an opinion as to whether conditions violate any laws or regulations.