Overview
- Residents in Muskiz and parts of Abanto-Zierbena were earlier urged to stay indoors with windows closed and to avoid outdoor exertion, with vulnerable groups told to limit exposure.
- Air-quality stations recorded benzene concentrations commonly between 100 and 200 µg/m³, including a peak of about 132 µg/m³ at San Julián, levels well above the 50 µg/m³ guideline for protective measures.
- Measurements showed a downward trend overnight to roughly 8 µg/m³ before rising again after 7:00, prompting continued precautions until authorities declared the pollution alert over around 14:00 on Friday, according to regional press.
- Petronor reported an operational issue in a gasoline tank that led to evaporation of volatile fractions, and the company implemented corrective actions as regional teams reinforced fixed monitoring with mobile sampling.
- Officials faced criticism for not issuing an ES-Alert text on Thursday night as residents reported headaches and dizziness, and local groups announced a protest for Sunday.