Refineries are spewing Cancer-Causing Benzene..

[whathehell]

https://truthout.org/articles/refineries-are-spewing-cancer-causing-benzene-as-trump-slashes-enforcement/

[appalachiablue]

1. K/R

[Roland99]

2. Refineries Are Spewing Cancer-Causing Benzene as Trump Slashes Enforcement

Philadelphia Energy Solutions, the largest and oldest refinery on the East Coast, tops the list of refineries exposing the public to benzene. Like many polluters, the refinery is surrounded by lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color. The refinery shut down last June after erupting in explosions and fires, sending thick clouds of toxic black smoke into the air. Refinery operators filed for bankruptcy and want to sell off the property, but the Trump administration is currently lobbying to keep the refinery open.

Stunningly, none of these refineries violated federal law by endangering surrounding communities with benzene emissions, but new federal rules require refinery operators to identify the root cause of — and eventually fix — the problem. That will likely mean updating facilities and installing new equipment — something many older refineries and petrochemical facilities have failed to do, despite high levels of pollution and a long list of deadly accidents, chemical spills and explosions.

Monitors installed at nine additional refineries in Texas, Kansas, Illinois and beyond found that levels of benzene in the air exceeded a federal health standard for short-term exposure by inhalation at least once over a two-week period last year, increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems and developmental delays in children in nearby areas. However, under current federal rules, these nine refineries are not required to take action to reduce the pollution.

[DFW]

3. Those refineries were ALWAYS a black spot on Philadelphia

I was in college there in the early seventies, and when the wind blew in our direction, the stench was sickening.

The Philly skyline was dominated by a large red neon sign: P S F S

Supposedly, it stood for "Philadelphia Savings Fund Society."

But we knew what it REALLY stood for: "Philadelphia Smells Funny Sometimes."