June 17, 2012:
RODEO (CBS SF) — Contra Costa County hazardous materials officials said Sunday that a gas leak in a water tank at a ConocoPhillips refinery in Rodeo had been contained. The leak in the 1.5-million gallon tank containing sulphur-water was first reported Friday morning at about 7 a.m., when a 35-foot rupture in the tank allowed sulphurous gas to leak into the surrounding neighborhood, said Steve Morioka, assistant director of the county’s hazardous materials program. At least 10 people reported nausea, throat irritation and respiratory symptoms due to the gas leak. The leak was sealed off early Sunday morning, Morioka said, and a health advisory that was issued on Friday was lowered at about 8:30 a.m. The incident remains under investigation, and crews are continuing to monitor air quality in the area.
By CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service