#Maine - New testing identifies elevated #benzene emissions near #SouthPortland tank farms

“You might have been able to do this in the past, but we’re not going to let you do this in the future.”

by Norah Hogan, 4/14/2026

Excerpt: "Long-term exposure to benzene has been linked to dizziness, headaches, blood disorders and cancer.

"Reiner, who has lived near three of the sites for years, was diagnosed with bladder cancer last Thanksgiving. He underwent surgery in December and is now receiving treatment.

" 'The big question is, was it this exposure? You can’t say. But this exposure may have contributed,' he said. 'The more toxins and environmental hazards you encounter in your life, it all adds up. It’s the cumulative effect.'

"Concerns about emissions have persisted for years. Previously, oil companies were allowed to self-monitor their emissions and were subject to stricter regulations only if they reported elevated toxin levels.

"In 2019, #GlobalCompanies LLC entered into a legal settlement that required the installation of new technology to reduce emissions. The company’s benzene levels are now well below state thresholds.

" 'They don’t want to be forced to do something that would be the right thing for everybody,' Reiner said. 'Everybody in America could benefit if oil companies started cleaning their emissions before they leave the tank farms and facilities.' "

Read more:
https://www.wmtw.com/article/elevated-benzene-near-south-portland-tank-farms/71016200

#MainePol #MaineNews #BenzeneEmissions #AirIsLife #BigOilAndGas #AirPollution #Carcinogenic

In 1929, Kathleen Lonsdale solved the mystery of the molecular structure of #benzene, which had been elusive for over a century. She used #Fourier methods on her X-ray crystallography data.

Benzene had been isolated in 1825, in a tiny vial that would change the world. 👇

https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/tiny-vial-changed-world-benzene-200

Il 40% dei fornelli a gas europei perde benzene anche da spento, e il nostro naso non se ne accorge. Un nuovo studio su 72 case tra UK, Italia e Paesi Bassi rivela concentrazioni fino a 66 volte superiori a quelle americane. Il paragone dei ricercatori? Come vivere con un fumatore.

Lasciate perdere i confronti con i piani a induzione: qui si tratta di capire se possiamo permetterci di non sapere cosa respiriamo a casa nostra.

https://www.futuroprossimo.it/2026/03/fornelli-a-gas-il-veleno-lento-che-non-puoi-annusare

#futuroprossimo #fornelligas #benzene

Why is #BlackRain Falling on #Tehran and What Does It Mean for Health?

Written by Nadine
Medically Reviewed by Colleen Fleiss, M.Sc on Mar 23 2026 3:39 PM

Excerpt: "Toxic Emissions From Damaged #Oil Facilities

A spokesperson for the World Health Organization, Christian Lindmeier, stated on 17 March that the destruction of #Iran's oil infrastructure released hazardous #hydrocarbons, #SulfurOxides, and #NitrogenCompounds into the atmosphere.

When rain combines with these #pollutants, it can lead to #ChemicalBurns and #LungInjury. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation and noted that authorities in Iran have urged residents to remain indoors.

"#BlackRain refers broadly to rainfall contaminated with atmospheric pollutants, explains Farzana Kastury, an environmental scientist at Adelaide University in Australia. Such rain often results from bushfire smoke or the burning of heavy fuels, which are by-products of crude #OilRefining.

In Iran's case, the black rain likely contains pollutants generated from the combustion of these fuels during fires triggered by missile attacks, including substances such as #acetone, #toluene, and #carcinogenic compounds like #benzene and #methylenechloride ."

Read more:
https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/why-is-black-rain-falling-on-tehran-and-what-does-it-mean-for-health-222820-1.htm

#NoWar #WarIsToxic #USWarOnIran #WorldWar3 #IsraeliWarCrimes #USWarCrimes #WorldPol #ToxicRain #ToxicRainInTehran

There's still time to register for TOMORROW's FREE online #BeilsteinTalk “The interplay between aromaticity and reactivity” with Israel Fernández, Complutense University of Madrid 🇪🇸.

📅 Feb 5, 2026 🕒 3–4 pm CET
✍ https://www.beilstein-institut.de/en/talks/organic-chemistry-the-interplay-between-aromaticity-and-reactivity/?M=y

#aromaticity #benzene #ComputationalChemistry #BeilsteinTalks