California refinery fire debris may contain asbestos

Oct 27, 2009

A fire broke out at the coker unit at the Tesoro Corp. refinery near Los Angeles, California on September 25. The coker unit used extreme pressure and heat to convert heavy oil into lighter petroleum products like gasoline and heating oil. Debris from the fire may be contaminated with the toxic substance asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral known for its fireproofing properties. Inhalation of asbestos fibers creates an increased risk of asbestos-related illnesses like asbestosis and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that targets the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen.

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