Oil giants in Houston on alert over chemical fall-out

Oil giant Shell and Exxon on Wednesday admitted the devastating rains sweeping the Texas Coast had allowed toxic chemicals to leak from its refineries.

Shell said that 100 pounds of benzene, a carcinogen, and 100 pounds of toluene, a solvent, had been released from its oil refinery in Deer Park, Texas, after heavy rains damaged a tank.

Exxon Mobil said two of its refineries had been hit and pollutants had been released.

A spokeswoman for the business said it had made every effort to prevent emissions and safely shut down equipment as Tropical Storm Harvey hit the Texas coast.

Other refinery and chemical plant operators have reported leaks because of Harvey.

The portion of Texas coast affected by Harvey is covered with oil refineries and chemical and industrial facilities.

Scientists are concerned that with large parts of the state flooded, drinking supplies could be contaminated by toxins leaking into the water.

The flooding has caused the shutdown of about 15% of the nation’s refining capacity, sending gasoline prices higher.

America’s biggest refinery at Port Arthur, operated by a Saudi Aramco offshoot, cut output to 40%, as it deals with restrictions on crude oil coming in and gasoline going out through pipelines and ports affected by flooding.