Chevron’s cancerous dust

More than three months after the Chevron fire at a refinery in Richmond, carcinogenic chemicals linger within a 9-square-mile area between Albany and San Pablo, an environmental group finds.

Tests conducted by the Global Community Monitor found high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in dust and soil in the area around the disaster site, according to SFGate.com.

The fire released a black plume of smoke and soot over the East Bay, sending about 15,000 people to local hospitals to seek treatment. Although a Chevron representative claims there “is not a significant risk” from the fire, Denny Larson, of the Global Community Monitor, maintains otherwise.

“PAHs are extremely dangerous,” he said. “They are one of the most potent carcinogens in existence.”