Not surprisingly to benzene exposure lawyers, BP has denied that the leak of tens of thousands of pounds of contaminants, including benzene, from a Texas City refinery caused any adverse health impacts in the local population.  That statement should definitely assuage any concerns that Texas City residents or benzene exposure attorneys have.

BPs Texas City refinery Business Unit leader Keith Casey has sent a letter to the mayor of Texas City, assuring him that BP’s scientific monitors did not indicate any health impact from the refinery leak on the local community.  BP’s letter also says that the company took steps to minimize the environmental impact, and that it brought the problem to the attention of regulatory authorities in a timely manner.

However, BP has failed to explain its delay in bringing the leak to the attention of the city officials.  The compressor malfunction that contributed to the leak, occurred on 6 April, and that was followed by a 40-day period, during which approximately 530,000 pounds of chemicals, including 17,000 pounds of benzene leaked into the atmosphere.  However, Texas City officials were not made aware of the extent of the leak till 4 June.

Besides, the health impact that BPs letter mentions does not take into consideration the long-term impacts of benzene exposure, which can often be more dangerous and life-threatening.  There are several long-term effects of exposure to benzene.  Benzene is a known carcinogen, and several studies have established a link between benzene and several types of blood cancers, and anemia.

Image Courtesy: Flickr – Infrogmation

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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