What Was Released?

• BP estimated 37,519 pounds of nitrogen oxides, 17,000 pounds of benzene, 189,000 pounds of carbon monoxide, 61,000 pounds of propane, 34,645 pounds of isobutane and about 160,840 pounds of other emissions were released between April 6 and May 16.
• The daily release of benzene was 40 times the state reportable levels.
• State law requires 10 pounds or more of benzene and 200 pounds or more of nitrogen oxides during a 24-hour period must be reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
• According to BP’s filings with state regulators, about 17,000 pounds of benzene were released — about 400 pounds a day.

What Are The Effects of Benzene?

Benzene has been linked to some forms of cancer, according to U.S. Health and Human Services records and other serious health complications.

Benzene Effects on Health: Benzene exposure may have numerous side effects, some of which are deadly. Exposure to a large amount of benzene at once or any amount over a long period of time may cause harmful results. The side effects of both types of exposure will vary, but either way your life and health may be at risk. The most common causes of benzene exposure are through occupational and environmental sources.

Short-Term Benzene Exposure: Short-term benzene exposure (in high amounts) may cause the following side effects:

These symptoms will typically arise within the first few minutes of exposure and may last for hours or longer, depending on the amount of benzene that the victim was exposed to. If the victim is not removed from the environment immediately and exposure continues, it will likely lead to death.

Long-Term Benzene Exposure: Long-term benzene exposure most often occurs in occupational environments, where workers deal with this chemical on a regular basis. The following are side effects of long-term benzene exposure: