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Tesla inadvertently released over 900 gallons of water-treatment chemicals into a storm drain near Matadero Creek on Oct. 17. This incident prompted cleanup efforts by the city and raised concerns about the company’s environmental record.
According to Palo Alto Online, officials confirmed that the chemicals were a mix of disodium tetraborate pentahydrate and sodium hydroxide, usually used for stain removal and cosmetics. The chemicals were used to cool Tesla’s Artificial Intelligence Supercomputer, which were released into a storm drain that flows to the creek.
While Palo Alto officials later confirmed the bright green substance wasn’t toxic, Barron Park resident Mike Hedblom, who first reported the spill while on a walk along Hanover Street, said the incident highlights the need for better response planning by Tesla.
“Accidents are going to happen,” Hedblom said. “It’s a matter of what you do about it … Tesla wasn’t prepared for this, but hopefully they’ll handle it better next time.”
Tesla representatives did not respond to interview requests from The Campanile.
In addition to what Hedblom said was poor disaster management, junior Talia Boneh said she was worried about the environmental and health implications of the spill.
“If the chemical was toxic, it could have been really dangerous for a lot of Palo Alto residents,” Boneh said. “Seeing the neon green in the news was obviously really startling and shocking, so I’m relieved to know that it was not harmful.”
Other residents were also unhappy with the poor communication from the city. Barron Park Neighborhood Association president John King said he did not learn about the spill until a week later when a neighbor sent him an article from Palo Alto Online.
“He sent me the message about this incident and I said, ‘Wow, I’m really surprised that it’s been nearly a week, and I’m finding out through a neighbor, and there wasn’t any notification,’” King said. “I should be one of the first people that should be contacted by city officials.”
And senior Alma Bendavid said the city should have done more to inform residents about the spill. “The city should have been a lot more transparent about the spill, because whether the chemicals are harmful or not, it’s a scary experience for anyone who might see it,” Bendavid said. “It’s crazy the way that stuff like this doesn’t get publicized very much.”
City of Palo Alto Officials did not respond to interview requests from The Campanile.
King also said the lack of communication from the city has left the Barron Park neighborhood feeling vulnerable.
“The Barron Park neighborhood is suffering from some PTSD,” King said. “Just let us know. We should have a more direct line of information that comes to us in a more timely manner because ultimately, we just want to find out what happened, when it happened, and make sure that there are solutions so it doesn’t happen again.”
This story was originally published on The Campanile on November 18, 2024.