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Cancer-Causing Benzene Vapors Plague Pennsylvania Neighborhood
5 May
Summary
- Thousands of barrels of gasoline leaked into the ground.
- Residents fear cancer-causing benzene vapor exposure.
- Affected residents have been relocated due to fumes.
In Aston, Pennsylvania, a significant gasoline leak from the Chelsea Tank Farm has caused alarm among residents for several months. In August, a worker noticed a gasoline-like odor, leading to an investigation that, in December, uncovered a tiny hole in one of the tanks. Approximately 9,000 barrels of gasoline subsequently leaked into the ground and soil.
As of early May 2026, concerns have escalated as elevated benzene vapors were detected in the basement of a family living near the affected tank, prompting their relocation. Benzene is a known carcinogen, and inhalation of high levels can cause immediate symptoms like drowsiness and dizziness, with long-term exposure posing risks to blood health.
Workers are actively drilling and assessing the extent of the gasoline's travel, though the company states no drinking wells have been impacted. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is monitoring the cleanup, supporting resident relocations and mitigation system installations, and ensuring the responsible party fulfills their obligations.
