BP Texas Refinery Had Huge Toxic Release Just Before Gulf Blowout

probublica ^ | july 2,2010 | ryan knutson

[freedommom]

TEXAS CITY, TEXAS -- Two weeks before the blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, the huge, trouble-plagued BP refinery [1] in this coastal town spewed tens of thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals into the skiesThe release from the BP facility here began April 6 and lasted 40 days [2]. It stemmed from the company's decision to keep producing and selling gasoline while it attempted repairs on a key piece of equipment, according to BP officials and Texas regulators.

BP says it failed to detect the extent of the emissions for several weeks. It discovered the scope of the problem only after analyzing data from a monitor that measures emissions from a flare 300 feet above the ground that was supposed to incinerate the toxic chemicals.

The company now estimates that 538,000 pounds of chemicals escaped from the refinery while it was replacing the equipment. These included 17,000 pounds of benzene, a known carcinogen; 37,000 pounds of nitrogen oxides, which contribute to respiratory problems; and 186,000 pounds of carbon monoxide.

It is unclear whether the pollutants harmed the health of Texas City residents, but the amount of chemicals far exceeds the limits set by Texas and other states.

For years, the BP refinery in this town of 44,000 has been among the company's most dangerous and pollution-prone operations. A 2005 explosion killed 15 workers [1]; four more workers have died in accidents since then. Last year, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined the company $87 million for failing to address safety problems that caused the 2005 blast.

[freedommom]

"I would already argue that there's too much benzene in the air in Texas City," Carman said, "and then you add this release over 40 days, and it's just unconscionable that BP would do this."

Officials in Texas City, who were not informed of the scale of the release until after it was over, have asked BP to explain how this could have occurred. Marr said the company is now reviewing its procedures.

[freedommom]

I can’t believe there was no news of this when it first happened.

[TexasCajun]

I'm 10 miles north of the BP facility.

The plant has a horrendous safety record.

BP talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk.

[TexasCajun]

I’d have to look it up, but this plant used to be owned by
DOW, I forget when BP aquired it.

[jpsb]

AMICO don't know if DOW ever owned it. Very old refinery but since the tree huggers will not allow new refineries this one needs to keep producing gasoline.

[TLI]

Interesting timing as well, The Regime was all itchy to pull the Texas Flex permitting and wiggle into the middle of Texas business. Then BP has a "release"

Must be a coincidence...

[Orange1998]

revolving door theory. play the fine and govt looks the other way. My question, where does the govt spend the money from the fines.

[LomanBill]

>>how this could have occurred.

“but ve vaz only following orderz”

[Liberty Valance]

I lived in Texas City for 2 years in the late 60’s. Back then some releases would peel the paint off cars near it so it could not have been good for humans/plants/animals to breathe. "You get used to the smell"/s -I haven't been back except to visit a grave.

[Liberty Valance]

[norraad]

Yezzz, BP & Co. are very much like the Nazi's of old but worse, they've learned how to stay out of the public eye for the most part.

The refineries & chem. companies could easily been run cleanly and above board, somehow these Nazi monsters get a kick out of squeezing; that last drop of profit out by keeping the pedal of greed floored around our necks.

[TexasCajun]

The place look likes one big rust factory.

[dennisw]

BP has treated USA like a 3rd world country with their stupidity and recklessness. I’ll bet they don’t do it this way in the UK

[LomanBill]

Yikes. Looks like a cover photo for a remix of “Rust Never Sleeps”.

[Myrddin]

A caller to "Coast to Coast AM" last night shared the consequences of benzene poisoning on his life. Lots of medically expensive damage to his body. Rashes. Unstable blood pressure. Kidney and liver damage. There's probably a fair number of folks near that refinery that are being damaged and unaware of exactly what is causing it.

[XenaLee]

"Interesting timing as well, The Regime was all itchy to pull the Texas Flex permitting and wiggle into the middle of Texas business.

Then BP has a "release" Must be a coincidence..."

Uh...yeah. Much like all of the 'other' conveniently timed coincidences that have occurred over the past year and a half and counting.

Maybe BP has given Obama more than just campaign cash. It's starting to look like BP may be complicit with Obama's agenda of taking over the US oil industry. Or am I just being paranoid due to all of these "coincidences"?

[XenaLee]

"I can’t believe there was no news of this when it first happened."

Well, the mainstream media probably couldn't get approval by the White House for the release of that news.

[norraad]

No, you are spot on, more people need to wake up to this subrosa monster, Alex Jones has some good research people on it.

Try not to be afraid or prejudice, he's a screamer sometimes and folks get frightened, he's just close to the fire that's all.

[af_vet_rr]

I can’t believe there was no news of this when it first happened.

Why can't you believe it? This kind of crap has been going on in Texas City for years. The media and politicians are not going to cross BP or the other majors if they can help it. I know it's popular to jump on BP for this, but it's not just BP. BP just happens to have a really piss-poor safety record in general, and is a foreign company, but other oil companies get away with violations all the time.

I'm not defending BP either - I've been helping friends who are affected by the spill, and I've dealt first-hand with BP employees and officials and it's not been pleasant.

[granite]

I can’t believe there was no news of this when it first happened.

BP chief Tony Hayward sold shares weeks before oil spill