With Neighbors Unaware, Toxic Spill at a BP Plant

[ensho]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/30/us/30bprefinery.html?_r=1&th&emc=th


While the world was focused on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a BP refinery here released huge amounts of toxic chemicals into the air that went unnoticed by residents until many saw their children come down with respiratory problems.

For 40 days after a piece of equipment critical to the refinery’s operation broke down, a total of 538,000 pounds of toxic chemicals, including the carcinogen benzene, poured out of the refinery.

-snip-

Neither the state nor the oil company informed neighbors or local officials about the pollutants until two weeks after the release ended, and angry residents of Texas City have signed up in droves to join a $10 billion class-action lawsuit against BP. The state attorney general, Greg Abbott, has also sued the company, seeking fines of about $600,000.

-snip-

Dionne Ramirez, 29, who lives about a mile from the refinery, said she had little doubt that elevated pollution harmed her family. Not only have both she and her husband had coughs, but all three of their young sons have suffered from severe chest congestion, sore throats and endless coughing since April. Her 4-year-old had to be hospitalized for two nights because he could not stop coughing, she said.
-long snip of sickness and law suits-
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where are the Fed. cops when you need them

[Tippy]

1. It is a crying shame Republicans protect the likes of BP

Over and over again....Greedy bastards....

[Altoid_Cyclist]

2. 10 minutes and I still can't think of an appropriate comment.

I realize that there are a lot of evil corporations operating with impunity, but BP is nothing but a machine churning out Superfund sites with "penalties" that amount to a soft tap on the nose with a rolled up newspaper.

Their workers are killed outright in accidents or slowly by exposure to toxins and the surrounding areas suffer the consequences of their indifference and lax oversight by the government agencies responsible.

Beyond Pathetic!

[mike r]

3. A fine of "about $600,000" is just a little speeding ticket for BP

What a joke.