500,000 Pounds of Emissions Including Benzene, Released at BP Texas City Refinery
Approximately 500,000 pounds of pollutant and non-pollutant emissions were released into the atmosphere over a 40-day period at the BP Texas City refinery when an ultracracker unit went off-line. These emissions included benzene emissions estimated at approximately 400 pounds a day. That’s roughly 40 times the permissible benzene emissions under Texas law.
The release occurred between April 6 when the ultracracker unit went off-line, until May 16 when the unit was repaired and started. According to a refinery spokesman, the company estimates that approximately 36,000 pounds of nitrogen oxide and 17,000 pounds of benzene were released during the 40 day period. Under Texas law, emissions equaling 10 pounds or more of benzene and 200 pounds or more of nitrogen oxide over a 24-hour period, must be reported to the Texas Commission on Environment and Quality’s air emissions database.
BP insists that neither of the two pollutants were released into the environment at levels that require self reporting to the US Environmental Protection Agency. That agency requires nitrogen oxide emissions of more than 1000 pounds every 24 hours to be reported, but has no set standards for benzene emissions.
Houston injury lawyers have known of the sketchy record at the Texas City refinery as far as benzene emissions are concerned. In 2008, a report by the Environmental Integrity Project estimated that the BP Texas City refinery, along with three other refineries, had one of the largest increases in benzene emissions. This was even as the overall emissions in refineries dropped by more than 18% from 2000 to 2008.
Benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked to the development of several forms of blood cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as well as some types of anemia. Short-term exposure to high amounts of benzene may cause dizziness, drowsiness, tremors, headaches, confusion, and/or unconsciousness. Long-term and/or high level exposure to benzene may affect normal blood cell production by hematopoietic ( or blood forming) cells in ones bone marrow which may result in a decreased ability of ones blood to transport oxygen (called anemia) as well as a lower ability to fight infections and a low white blood cell counts, and can even be life-threatening. Additionally, some evidence shows that benzene may affect reproductive organs.
If you or a loved one lives in the Texas City area and has been affected by the recent Benzene release or have been diagnosed with leukemia, we can help. Contact the Husband & Wife Legal Team at the Kahn Law Firm today by calling 713-226-9900 or toll free 1-877-226-9940.
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Under the law, victims of benzene-related health effects may be eligible for compensation. If you have been harmed by benzene exposure, you may want to consider contacting a qualified benzene attorney to find out more about your legal rights.