The Philadelphia Energy Solutions plant had been struggling financially for years, and had failed to make necessary infrastructure improvements that would’ve kept it in line with environmental regulations. As it turned crude oil into everything from jet fuel to plastics, the plant spewed toxic chemicals into the air in South Philly (even when it wasn’t on fire), and it was found to be in violation of the Clean Air Act nine of the last 12 quarters.
“During normal operations, the refinery put out pollutants just from the act of refining,” Peter DeCarlo, a professor who specializes in air quality issues at Drexel University, told VICE News after the explosion. “It’s the largest source of pollution from any stationary source in the city.”
Read the rest of the Vice Article.