Oklahoma Community Wants Benzene Spill Eliminated

By Daniel Hawn

Published on August 25, 2006

The spill occurred at a tire plant during its operation in the 1980s. Miami City Attorney Eric Johnson says tire company Michelin is responsible for handling the contamination.

Michelin is contractually obligated to protect Miami’s environment. Attorneys for Michelin, however, claim that the company never owned or operated the tire plant. They say Michelin only purchased tire business from BF Goodrich, the company they say is responsible for the spill.

Johnson says benzene from the spill has spread throughout Miami and poses a hazard to the city’s inhabitants. Although Michelin claims it is following ordinances and fulfilling its obligation to maintain a safe environment, Johnson says the company is not acting quickly enough.

Benzene is a chemical commonly found in such things as gasoline, crude oil, and cigarette smoke. It is also used in the production of plastics, rubbers, pesticides, dyes, and other products. Studies have shown that benzene exposure can lead to a number of adverse health consequences, including anemia, immune system damage, bone marrow injury, and leukemia.

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