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The consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog issued a harsh report this week of California's Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Report sources say the DTSC puts vulnerable communities last, citing as an example the handling of last year's Chevron refinery fire in Richmond.

The agency is charged with protecting Californians and their environment from the harmful effects of hazardous waste.

Liza Tucker of Consumer Watchdog is the report's author, and she spoke with KQED's Stephanie Martin.

The department issued a statement Thursday saying that Tucker's report contains inaccuracies — and raises valid issues. But it did not go into specifics about either of those points.