Think Progress gives us news of yet another gusher brought to you by the environmentally conscious folks at Blowout Putzes. A refinery in Texas is spewing benzene.
Of course, it's not their fault, nobody needs respirators, and they'll surely hire some cheap labor from Mexico to take care of it. That way they can send them back across the border when they get too sick to function as human beings. Maybe they can even fly in some pelicans to provide atmosphere.
Why is this bunch of thugs even allowed to operate heavy machinery... or exist?
Refinery spokesman Michael Marr said in its follow up reporting with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, BP estimated 36,000 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 17,000 pounds of benzene were released in the 40 days. State law requires 10 pounds or more of benzene and 200 pounds or more of nitrogen oxide during a 24-hour period must be reported through the commission’s air emissions database.
The bulk of the emissions during that time included an estimated 189,000 pounds of carbon monoxide and 61,000 pounds of propane, according to the company’s report to the TCEQ.
“Benzene is a carcinogen naturally found in oil,” and carbon monoxide is a chemical that kills hundreds and sickens thousands of people every year. The plant spokesperson said the amounts released were not large enough to be harmful to neighboring communities.
And of course, it goes without saying we can all put our faith in anyone who speaks on behalf of BP.
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