https://www.foxla.com/news/chevron-refinery-fire-air-quality-gas-prices
https://archive.is/D5BsO
By Nic Garcia Published October 3, 2025 4:33pm PDT
El Segundo FOX 11
"They penetrate the lungs, water in the lungs and the effects could be days later people end up in the hospital," said Pulmonologist Eli Hendel.
Dr. Hendel said even if you're not experiencing shortness of breath, your oxygen levels could be impacted.
RELATED:
As a precautionary measure, Chevron's Health Safety and Environmental team has been conducting mobile air monitoring in the community. AQMD was advising residents to remain indoors if they see or smell smoke and keep their doors and windows closed. It was also suggested that residents run a HEPA air purifier if available.
"Even if it's just a few days, we could see gas prices go up 30 to 90 cents per gallon and even more than that if it can stay closed a month or longer. We just don't know at this point," said Shelby Rothman, CEO and Founder of Enjoy Financial.
The explosion reportedly happened in the part of the facility that refines jet fuel, raising concerns about ticket price hikes at LAX.
"40 percent of all the gas that goes to LAX comes from this exact refinery. So we can expect to have ticket prices increase very soon," said Rothman.
The Source: Information for this story came from interviews with Pulmonologist Eli Hendel and CEO and Founder of Enjoy Financial Shelby Rothman. Previous FOX 11 reports contributed.
https://archive.is/D5BsO
By Nic Garcia Published October 3, 2025 4:33pm PDT
El Segundo FOX 11
The Brief
- A fire erupted around 9:30 p.m. Thursday at a Chevron refinery in Southern California.
- All flames were put out and the fire was contained around 8 a.m. Friday.
- Now many have concerns over fuel prices and air quality.
Impact on air quality
The air quality improved overnight and by Friday afternoon, it had a "good" rating by airnow.gov. But possible pollutants like phosgene could have been airborne Thursday night, which wouldn't be present in the average fire."They penetrate the lungs, water in the lungs and the effects could be days later people end up in the hospital," said Pulmonologist Eli Hendel.
Dr. Hendel said even if you're not experiencing shortness of breath, your oxygen levels could be impacted.
RELATED:
- All El Segundo Chevron refinery workers accounted for after massive fire erupts at facility
- Get an inside look into Chevron's El Segundo refinery
As a precautionary measure, Chevron's Health Safety and Environmental team has been conducting mobile air monitoring in the community. AQMD was advising residents to remain indoors if they see or smell smoke and keep their doors and windows closed. It was also suggested that residents run a HEPA air purifier if available.
Impact on gas prices
A broader concern for the entire SoCal region: gas prices."Even if it's just a few days, we could see gas prices go up 30 to 90 cents per gallon and even more than that if it can stay closed a month or longer. We just don't know at this point," said Shelby Rothman, CEO and Founder of Enjoy Financial.
The explosion reportedly happened in the part of the facility that refines jet fuel, raising concerns about ticket price hikes at LAX.
"40 percent of all the gas that goes to LAX comes from this exact refinery. So we can expect to have ticket prices increase very soon," said Rothman.
The Source: Information for this story came from interviews with Pulmonologist Eli Hendel and CEO and Founder of Enjoy Financial Shelby Rothman. Previous FOX 11 reports contributed.
