In a City Council meeting announcement on March 22, Irvine Councilmember Larry Agran called attention to the single-highest-known polluter in Irvine, All American Asphalt (AAA). He pointed out that their benzene emissions alone reached unprecedented levels beginning in 2017. 

Benzene is a known carcinogen that is colorless but highly flammable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), benzene exposure is known to cause anemia and leukemia and damages bone marrow. Since 2017, AAA has reported benzene emissions between 200-400 pounds annually.

Councilmember Agran criticized the City Council’s response: 

“I give credit to the City Manager for being involved in settlement negotiations [with All American Asphalt], but unless and until the plant is relocated, we have to be mindful of the continuing, ongoing problem there and the need for much-stronger legal action.”

Allowing All American Asphalt to continue operating in North Irvine exposes residents to dozens of carcinogenic toxins. Every Irvine household needs to be involved in the fight to safeguard our City’s public health.