EPA Issues Fine Against DuPont Plant

DuPont’s Louisiana chemical plant has been hit with a $480,000 fine for multiple benzene leaks, raising concerns about environmental safety and public health.

At a Glance

DuPont’s chemical plant in Reserve, Louisiana, has been fined $480,000 by the federal government.
EPA inspection found benzene releases exceeding federal limits.
The plant is located near an elementary school in an area known as “Cancer Alley.”
DuPont will install equipment to prevent future benzene releases.

EPA Cracks Down on DuPont’s Louisiana Plant

A chemical manufacturing plant operated by DuPont in Reserve, Louisiana, has agreed to pay a substantial federal fine of $480,000 following multiple benzene leaks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed the settlement on September 25, marking a significant step in addressing environmental concerns in the region known as the Mississippi River Chemical Corridor, or more ominously, “Cancer Alley.”

The agreement stems from an unannounced EPA inspection conducted two and a half years ago, which revealed benzene releases far exceeding federal limits. EPA inspectors detected alarming benzene levels of 20,100 parts per million (ppm) from a vent and 1,933 ppm from a valve, both significantly surpassing the allowable limits set by federal regulations.

DuPont plant in Louisiana fined $480,000 for releasing a cancer-causing chemical https://t.co/zxSVgowHKZ

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 30, 2024

Health Risks and Community Concerns

The DuPont facility’s proximity to an elementary school in Reserve has heightened concerns about potential health impacts on the local community. Benzene, a known carcinogen, has been linked to increased cases of leukemia, reproductive effects in women, blood disorders, and various short-term health issues. Federal law mandates that benzene storage tanks and pipelines have no detectable emissions, with specific standards for valves and open-ended lines.

Despite the severity of the situation, DuPont maintains that the chemical releases had no impact on site personnel or the community. Daniel Turner, a spokesperson for the company, stated, “We are pleased to resolve this matter with the U.S. EPA,” and assured that there were “no impacts to site personnel or to the community.”

DuPont’s Response and Corrective Actions

While DuPont acknowledges the EPA’s findings, the company disputes the accuracy of the agency’s measurements. Turner explained, “From the time the on-site inspection occurred, we have disputed the instrument readings captured by EPA from those of our contractors. However, we have taken immediate corrective actions to resolve the issues identified in the inspection process.”

As part of the settlement, DuPont has committed to installing new equipment to prevent future benzene releases. The facility, which produces paraphenylenediamine (PPDA) for manufacturing Kevlar and employs about 280 people, shares a site with Denka Performance Elastomers. Notably, Denka has faced separate accusations of posing cancer risks to the local community, further intensifying scrutiny on industrial operations in the area.