Torrance Residents Mark Refinery Explosion Anniversary and Urge MHF Ban

Residents and advocates gathered at North High School’s Performing Arts Center in Torrance on February 7, 2026, to observe the 11th anniversary of the 2015 refinery explosion and to call for a ban on modified hydrofluoric acid (MHF) at the Torrance Refinery.

The event highlighted ongoing community concerns about the use of MHF, a chemical utilized in gasoline production at the Torrance facility. Attendees pointed to the risks associated with the chemical and referenced past incidents at the refinery.

On February 18, 2015, an explosion occurred at the Torrance Refinery, which was then operated by ExxonMobil. The incident resulted in injuries to four workers and led to lockdowns at 14 local schools.

Steve Goldsmith, president of the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance, said in a statement that a release of MHF could cause irreversible health effects within a 6.2-mile radius of the refinery. The National Resources Defense Council has stated that exposure of as little as 1% of a person’s skin to hydrofluoric acid can be fatal, and inhalation may result in fatal lung damage and heart rhythm disruption.

What the numbers show

• About 40 refineries in the United States use hydrofluoric acid
• More than 14 million people live near these refineries
• The proposed bill would fine noncompliant refineries up to $37,500 per infraction

U.S. Representative Maxine Waters reintroduced the “Preventing Mass Casualties from Release of Hydrofluoric Acid at Refineries Act” (H.R. 7384). According to the bill, refineries would be required to identify alternatives to MHF within five years or face financial penalties.

The Torrance Refinery, located in Representative Waters’ district, is one of the facilities in the country that currently uses hydrofluoric acid in its operations. The proposed legislation would apply to such facilities nationwide.

Hydrofluoric acid is used in the production of gasoline at approximately 40 refineries across the United States. The chemical’s properties and potential health effects have been cited by advocates as reasons for seeking regulatory changes.

The bill H.R. 7384 specifies that refineries failing to comply with the requirement to find alternatives to MHF could be fined up to $37,500 per infraction. This measure is intended to encourage the adoption of safer processing chemicals in the refining industry.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.