East Bay residents living near the Chevron Richmond Refinery are at a higher risk of developing cancer and other health ailments from exposure to toxic pollutants, according to preliminary findings released Tuesday by the Bay Area Air District.
The air district identified the petroleum refinery — which spans 2,900 acres near Point Richmond — as a “facility with the potential to pose high health impacts,” making it subject to a health risk assessment as required by a district regulation called Rule 11-18.
The Bay Area Air District is responsible for regulating sources of air pollution, typically at industrial or commercial facilities, in the nine Bay Area counties…