by John Glidden.com Staff Report | glid24@protonmail.com | February 17, 2025
BENICIA – The Benicia Community Air Monitoring Program (BCAMP) announced it will host a public forum later this month to help answer the public’s questions and concerns about toxic chemicals and the impact of particulate matter on the community’s health, BCAMP announced on Monday.
The forum is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, and will also be on Zoom. Register here for the zoom link.
Community members can also go to the Benicia Community Air Monitoring Program website to register, https://bcamp.argos-scientific.com/. A recording will be available.
“With the recent wildfires and refinery fire, more and more people are concerned about increased toxins in our environment,” the same news release states. “How do wildfire smoke, refinery and chemical leaks and auto emissions affect our health?”
BCAMP said that “particulate matter refers to a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets that are suspended in the air from emissions, dust, smoke, metals, and more.”
The public interest in toxic chemicals impact on the body has increased following a hydrocarbon leak which caused a fire at the Martinez Refining Company on Saturday, Feb. 1. The fire, which injured six people, took place about seven miles from the city of Benicia.
Guest speakers include Benica Fire Chief Josh Chadwick, who will give an update on Benicia’s proposed Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO). The ordinance includes an expanded air monitoring system. Valero Benicia Refinery has expressed concerns with the proposed ordinance.
BCAMP said additional guest speakers include: Dr. Michael Jerrett, a researcher with UCLA Public Health, who will discuss the serious effects toxic pollution does to the human body. He will be followed by other air quality experts addressing the value of real-time air-monitored data, dangerous toxin levels and how to keep the community safe, the group further announced.
Dr. Jochen Stutz, a UCLA assistant professor for atmospheric chemistry, will discuss his new type of air monitor technology called “Optical Tenting,” BCAMP said. Eric Stevenson from Argos Scientific will discuss the importance of high-quality air monitoring, they added.
BCAMP said local activists Maureen Brennan and Marilyn Bardet will address current problems and discuss visions for the future. Time will be set aside for questions to the speakers.
Photo caption: Valero Flaring incident 2017. Photo by Pat Toth-Smith.
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