Torrance Residents Demand Ban on 'Flesh-Eating' Refinery Chemical

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters reintroduces bill to require refiners to find alternatives to modified hydrofluoric acid within 5 years

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Residents and advocates in Torrance, California gathered to call for a ban on the use of modified hydrofluoric acid (MHF), a chemical used at a local oil refinery that they say has the potential to cause mass casualties in the event of an accident or release. The Torrance Refinery Action Alliance hosted the event, which marked the 11th anniversary of a 2015 explosion at the refinery that nearly caused a release of the dangerous chemical.

Why it matters

Hydrofluoric acid, including the modified version used at the Torrance refinery, is considered an extremely hazardous substance that can be fatal even with minimal exposure. Residents are concerned about the potential for a catastrophic accident or release that could impact a wide area around the refinery, and are pushing for the refinery to transition to safer alternatives.

The details

The Torrance Refinery uses modified hydrofluoric acid (MHF), which the refinery claims is a safer alternative to regular hydrofluoric acid. However, advocates dispute this claim, stating that MHF still poses a serious risk to public health and safety. In 2015, an explosion at the refinery nearly caused a release of MHF, which could have had devastating consequences within a 6.2 mile radius. Residents are now calling for the refinery to replace MHF with safer alternatives, such as the ionic-liquid alkylation process used at a Chevron refinery in Salt Lake City.

  • On February 18, 2015, an explosion at the Torrance Refinery, then operated by ExxonMobil, nearly caused a release of MHF.
  • The Saturday event marking the 11th anniversary of the 2015 explosion was held at North High School's Performing Arts Center in Torrance.

The players

Torrance Refinery Action Alliance

A local advocacy group that hosted the Saturday event calling for a ban on the use of modified hydrofluoric acid (MHF) at the Torrance Refinery.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters

A Democratic Congresswoman representing the city of Torrance, who reintroduced a bill that would require refineries using MHF to find alternatives within 5 years or face fines.

Steve Goldsmith

President of the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance, who stated that a release of MHF from the refinery could have devastating health effects within a 6.2 mile radius.

Christopher Truman

A Torrance resident whose parents live near the refinery, and who expressed concern about the potential dangers of MHF.

Janice Hahn

A Los Angeles County Supervisor who stated that MHF is "too dangerous to use" and that communities will not be safe until the chemical is eliminated.

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What they’re saying

“Torrance Refinery had an enormous explosion, and a piece of equipment the size of a bus came within five feet of the hydrofluoric acid, causing a near miss. We've been working to get rid of it.”

— Steve Goldsmith, President, Torrance Refinery Action Alliance

“I'm born and raised in the South Bay, and my family lives in, effectively, what would be the blast radius if another accident happened. So just in that aspect, I'm very worried about it.”

— Christopher Truman

“MHF is simply too dangerous to use. It is a flesh-eating, low-crawling, toxic vapor cloud. Our communities will not be safe until this chemical is gone.”

— Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County Supervisor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the Torrance Refinery to continue using modified hydrofluoric acid (MHF).

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the use of dangerous chemicals like MHF at oil refineries, and the need to balance worker concerns with public safety. Residents are demanding transparency and action to replace MHF with safer alternatives, in order to protect their communities from the potential for a catastrophic accident or release.