Benzene Lawyer - Bus Barn Benzene Clean Up

Benzene Exposure Risk

Benzene Cleanup Continues at "Bus Barn"

October 21 , 2008

Since July 2008, the SCANA Corporation has been cleaning up benzene and other toxins from the "Bus Barn," one of the most valuable pieces of property in Columbia, South Carolina.

Located between Hampton and Gervais Streets, the Bus Barn sat on a 13.5-acre plot. Before demolition earlier this year, the lot was also home to the Kline Iron and Steel Company and the South Caroline Gas and Electric Company (SCG&E), both of which played a direct role in contaminating the underlying soil with benzene and other toxins:

The Kline Iron and Steel Company processed crude oil, which generates benzene.
SCG&E had manufactured large amounts of gas, resulting in benzene emissions, to provide power to the surrounding cities.

This massive cleanup of benzene-contaminated soil is expected to continue until May 2009.

What is Benzene?

Benzene is a sweet-smelling substance that results from the manufacture of crude petroleum and coal. While benzene is necessary to the production of plastics, dyes and other synthetic materials, it is also a highly toxic substance that can cause serious health problems if inhaled or ingested over significant periods of time.

Although the short-term effects of benzene (such as headaches and nausea) are reversible, long-term exposure to this toxin causes fatal conditions, such as leukemia.

Details of the Cleanup

Over the course of this 10-month benzene cleanup, SCANA (South Carolina's current energy supplier) will remove all contaminated soil and replace it with fresh, clean, safe soil. However, because the previous industries had been on this property for decades, and because benzene can dissolve in soil, SCANA must remove more than merely the topsoil – the cleanup has to replace all soil up to 25 feet deep.

The estimated cost of such a massive cleanup is between $5 million and $6 million.

How Benzene Contamination Occurs

Benzene is capable of dissolving in air, soil and water. Consequently, people can come into contact with benzene by:

Breathing air in which benzene has been emitted (such contaminated air smells sweet)
Drinking water in which benzene has dissolved

Eating foods grown in benzene-contaminated soil

When the benzene cleanup is completed, about half of the property will be turned over to the city, and the other half will be sold to developers.

(Source: The State)

Have you or a loved one been harmed by benzene exposure? If so, contact us today to meet with an experienced benzene lawyer who can help you pursue your legal claim and win your highly deserved compensation.

For more information about how benzene exposure may put you and your loved ones at risk, contact a Benzene Attorney.

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