EPA investigates 41-day release of toxic gases at BP's Texas refinery

[sonias]

AAS 9/17/10
EPA investigates 41-day release of toxic gases at BP's Texas refinery

HOUSTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has started an investigation into a 41-day benzene release at BP PLC's

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The EPA's investigation, announced late Thursday, is the latest blow to the oil giant still struggling with fallout from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The refinery incident under investigation began April 6 when a fire occurred in a hydrogen compressor. As a result, gases were rerouted to the facility's flare — a flame at the top of many refineries used to burn off toxic gases — until the compressor could be fixed and restarted on May 16. The EPA is investigating whether the fire or the release violated the federal Clean Air Act.

Texas environmental regulators have said the company released more than 500,000 pounds of toxic air pollutants, including cancer-causing benzene, during that time.

The EPA's regional director, Al Armendariz, said the agency is trying to ensure "disclosure of all information by BP."

Way to go Al Armendariz! Go get'em! :applause::applause::applause: