Richmond Hazardous Toluene Spill Update

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water:

Initial reports indicated that a very minimal amount of the substance, now confirmed to be Toluene, was able to reach the San Pablo Bay. However, upon further investigation workers discovered that an unknown quantity of the chemical was able to seep into the surrounding marsh and wash into the Bay.

The chemical that has reached the San Pablo Bay is expected to diss[i]pate, and will not affect shipping lanes. California Department of Fish and Game environmental scientists will continue to assess the potential impact on fish, wildlife, and vegetation.

The original claim, which was made earlier today, was that "the spilled chemical is not believed to have reached the San Francisco Bay."