7Eleven settles Alameda County suit over hazard
Alameda County’s district attorney’s office announced a $1.5 million settlement with 7Eleven on Monday, saying the Dallas convenience store chain had failed to fully follow state law when training employees on handling hazardous materials.
7Eleven operates more than 1,700 stores in California — and they, like their competitors in the fastfood industry, use carbon dioxide for carbonated beverages dispensed by machines, according to a release from the district attorney’s office. The colorless, odorless and nonflammable gas is usually stored in tanks onsite,
but if it leaks out, it can create health risks because it displaces oxygen, the release said.
The Alameda County district attorney’s office began its investigation in 2015 after a county agency found that 16 7Eleven stores were not complying with the law regarding the training of their employees, the release said. The county has 69 7Eleven stores in total, according to the district attorney’s office.
Contra Costa, Monterey, San Mateo, San Francisco, San Joaquin, Solano, Ventura and Yolo counties also joined the inquiry, the release said.
7Eleven and the Alameda County district attorney’s office did not return calls for comment.