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MAP: An overview of every toxic, contaminated site in Richmond

on October 28, 2017

Over the decades, a sprawling network of shuttered chemical plants and oil refineries has left harmful pollutants in Richmond’s air, water, and soil.

According to data collected by the California Department of Toxic Substance Control, the city is home to more than a hundred hazardous waste sites, including two highly contaminated, federally designated Superfund locations.

Richmond Confidential’s “Toxics Map,” updated in the fall of 2017, details where the state is cleaning up and evaluating hazardous-waste sites, where cleanup is voluntary, and the previously mentioned Superfund locations.

State Response: California’s program to clean up hazardous waste sites.

Evaluation: The site is under investigation for hazardous waste contamination.

Voluntary Cleanup: The responsible party can clean up the site at their own pace.

Federal Superfund: The U.S. EPA’s program to clean up the nation’s worst hazardous waste sites.

9 Comments

  1. Michele Hunt on October 28, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    What does the status certified mean?



    • Commenter on October 28, 2017 at 6:11 pm

      Good question. A worthy follow up might be a list with more detailed information about all these sites.



  2. Saturday Evening Headlines – Bay News Now on October 28, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    […] Updated: Richmond’s Toxics (Richmond Confidential) […]



  3. David Naisuler on October 30, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Yes, looking at “Richmond Substation S” on Nevin- what does “Certified” mean? By whom? When? What is the plan?



  4. E. S. on October 30, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    Should I be surprised to see no sites associated with Richmond Refinery?



    • Commenter on October 31, 2017 at 1:46 pm

      Good catch. There are over a hundred years of old buried and forgotten pipes running around there and over the hill to Point Orient and elsewhere I believe as well. But that’s just something I heard from old timers years ago. It would be reassuring to know if Chevron has kept track of all that or not. There’s another good story for a budding journalist.



  5. […] to the California Department of Toxic Substance Control, Richmond is home to two of California’s 98 Superfund […]



  6. […] to the California Department of Toxic Substance Control, Richmond is home to two of California’s 98 Superfund […]



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