Oil Spill Causes Widespread Odor

Residents in Salem County, Delaware County, Delaware and Maryland have all reported the odor caused by the spill.

A strange odor cause by a Gloucester County oil spiil has spread as far as Maryland.

The spill occurred Thursday at 1:15 p.m. from an oil tank at the Paulsboro Refinery Company facility. Refinery personnel discovered the leak shortly before 1:30 p.m. Crews were able to contain the oil before it reached the Delaware River. A total of 4.2 million gallons of crude oil leaked, according to a Paulsboro Refinery spokesperson.

The Department of Environmental Protection says the spill is not expected to impact the Delaware River local drinking water supplies. Numerous residents in Salem County , Delaware County, Delaware and Maryland have complained about the smell caused by the spill. Despite this, the DEP says air monitoring indicates the odor should not cause any major health effects.

The DEP still warns that elderly people or people with respiratory conditions should stay indoors. Petroleum products have a low odor threshold and can be smelled at very low levels that do not cause serious health risks, according to the DEP.

The DEP will continue to monitor the air near the refinery and surrounding communities until the odors subside.
 

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