The City of Compton hosted a community workshop on Tuesday, July 28, to provide residents with updates on the response to the May 21 fire at World Oil Recycling and ongoing odor concerns in the area.

Representatives from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) each provided updates on their respective response efforts, ongoing monitoring activities and available public health resources.

During the workshop, South Cost AQMD stated since January 1, 2026 it responded to more than 120 complaints submitted by the public, conducted 37 field investigations and issued eight Notices of Violation (NOVs). Seven for public nuisance, one for vapors observed from a wastewater storage tank and one additional NOV issued to a third-party contractor for visible vapors from a centrifuge pump used at the facility.     

DTSC shared that World Oil's operates under a DTSC hazardous waste permit and is regulated under DTSC's hazardous waste regulatory program. DTSC also said its enforcement fire investigation is in progress as information continues to be gathered and evaluated. 

Public Health encouraged residents to do the following:  

• Concerns near oil and gas sites call or email Cal GEM, (562) 637-4400, calgemsouthern@conservation.cal.gov.
• Concerns about health symptoms from an environmental issue, call the Public Health Community Message Line (626) 430-9821, email: DPH-OEJCH@ph.lacounty.gov.

Please click on the presentations provided below: 

• South Coast AQMD Presentation 7-28-26
• DTSC Presentation 7-28-26
• DPH Presentation 7-28-26

World Oil released the following statement: 

July 28, 2026

Honorable Mayor and Members of the Compton City Council,

It is our understanding that the City of Compton will hold a public workshop today concerning our facility. For more than 50 years, World Oil Recycling has been an important part of the Compton community. We are a used oil recycling company that provides an essential environmental service, collecting and recycling used oil from local businesses and public agencies and keeping it out of landfills, storm drains, and waterways. Despite our name, we are not an oil refinery or an oil producer.... We are a recycler.

Our company employs more than 200 people, many of them local residents, and helps businesses and public agencies throughout Compton and the surrounding area manage used oil responsibly. We are proud of our long history as a local employer and community partner, and we remain committed to operating safely and in accordance with all applicable environmental regulations.

We also want to address recent concerns regarding odors reported in the Alameda Corridor.

We take these reports seriously and have been working closely with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to help identify and resolve their source. On June 15, AQMD conducted an annual comprehensive fugitive emission inspection of our facility and confirmed that we are operating in accordance with our air emissions permit.

Beyond that inspection, we have chosen to take additional voluntary steps to help address community concerns. On our own initiative, we are removing a large storage tank and conducting daily patrols throughout the surrounding industrial area to help identify potential odor sources, wherever they may originate. We are sharing what we learn with AQMD to support its broader review of conditions in the corridor. These efforts reflect our commitment to being a responsible neighbor.

We value our relationship with the City of Compton and remain committed to transparency, cooperation, and continuous improvement. We look forward to working closely with the Council, AQMD, and our neighbors so that our facility continues to operate safely and responsibly, consistent with our long-standing commitment to this community.

Respectfully,

Jeff Baxter, EVP of Operations and Engineering

World Oil Recycling

The City continues to work closely with South Coast AQMD, DTSC and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and other partner agencies as they review odor complaints and monitor conditions near the facility.

To watch the full presentation, click here or watch below. 

Residents who experience odors, smoke or other air quality concerns are encouraged to report them to South Coast AQMD by calling 1-800-CUT-SMOG (288-7664), filing a complaint at aqmd.gov or using the South Coast AQMD mobile app.