Benzene Check a Little Too Late
Shell Oil Products is planning to check for benzene contamination in the soil and groundwater near Roxana, Illinois this spring. The check seems to come a little late, considering it stems from a benzene leak that occurred more than two decades ago.
In 1986, an underground pipeline owned and operated by Shell Oil leaked 8,400 gallons of benzene into the area surrounding Wood River Refinery. There is little documentation regarding cleanup efforts, and what cleanup was done seems to have been limited to surface liquid recovery.
However, more recent groundwater sampling from monitoring wells in the vicinity of the plant has shown increased levels of benzene. Officials say there is little possibility that the benzene has contaminated water supply wells for area residents, but this seems unlikely given the extent of the contamination. Plus, exposure to benzene may also occur as a result of vapor migration.
Benzene exposure poses a number of serious health risks, and residents who have developed health problems such as anemia or cancer should consider discussing their legal options with an attorney.
