SOUTHLAND – (INT) – A small uptick in gasoline prices should be short-lived as the re-start of the ExxonMobile refinery at Torrance is imminent.

A key gasoline production unit was idled 15 months ago by an explosion at the plant.

The Air Quality Management District says it will monitor outdoor air pollution levels when the unit goes into operation Saturday evening. “We will deploy an air monitoring network to measure fine particulate levels in the air around the refinery during the startup process to protect nearby residents,” said Wayne Nastri, Acting Executive Officer of the AQMD.

ExxonMobil will temporarily deactivate a fine particulate air pollution control unit as a safety precaution during the first 6-hours.

During the six-hour startup period, the maximum potential short-term health risks from catalyst dust are about 100 times lower than health-based thresholds used by the AQMD.

“If the restart is incident-free, a major source of gasoline for Southern California will be restored, bringing more price stability,” said Auto Club spokesman Jeff Spring.

Story Date: May 6, 2016