RESERVE, La. — A chemical production facility located to the west of New Orleans has reached a settlement with the federal government, agreeing to pay a fine of $480,000 and implement new systems to prevent the escape of benzene, a known carcinogen, from its storage tank and pipelines.
The finalized consent agreement was recorded on September 25, approximately two and a half years after federal inspectors conducted an unscheduled examination that revealed multiple discharges of benzene exceeding permissible federal limits. The plant is situated about half a mile from an elementary school in Reserve, Louisiana, within a region known as the Mississippi River Chemical Corridor, which has earned the nickname “Cancer Alley” due to environmental health concerns.
Daniel Turner, a representative of DuPont Specialty Products, stated that the emissions released did not impact the plant workers or local residents. “We are satisfied to have reached a resolution with the U.S. EPA,” stated Turner. He added that during the inspection, DuPont contested the readings obtained by the EPA compared to those recorded by its own contractors. Nevertheless, Turner affirmed that they have taken prompt measures to address the issues raised during the EPA’s inspection.
The EPA has highlighted that benzene exposure is linked to increased risks of leukemia among workers, and that females who encounter significant amounts of benzene may experience reproductive issues. Prolonged contact with the chemical can lead to blood disorders, while short-term exposure may cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, skin irritation, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
During the inspection, EPA officials evaluated a total of 77 valves and two pumps and detected several violations. They observed benzene concentrations reaching 20,100 parts per million from a vent on a benzene waste tank, and 1,933 ppm leaking from an additional pressure/vacuum valve. Additionally, inspectors identified another open-ended valve and a separate valve in a different area leaking approximately 542 ppm of benzene, exceeding the EPA threshold.
According to DuPont, their own assessments showed lower benzene levels, although they still surpassed the EPA’s allowable limits. Federal regulations mandate that major industries ensure that storage tanks containing benzene maintain emissions below detectable levels, specifically less than 500 ppm, along with routine visual inspections. This same requirement is applicable to pipelines and valves transporting benzene; however, open-ended valves must be sealed to prevent leaks.
The DuPont site shares its location with Denka Performance Elastomers, which was previously accused by the federal government of posing a significant cancer risk to the predominantly Black community nearby. The DuPont facility specializes in the production of paraphenylenediamine (PPDA), which is subsequently shipped to another DuPont plant engaged in the creation of Kevlar, a material used in the manufacture of bulletproof vests. Currently, the facility employs approximately 280 individuals, including contractors working on-site.