Shelter in place for certain areas of Shell Deer Park due to low levels of benzene

DEER PARK, Texas (FOX 26) - Shell Deer Park has enacted a shelter in place for certain areas in their facility after low levels of benzene were detected, according to a statement from the company.

A Shell Spokesperson sent FOX 26 the following statement:

Shell Deer Park has detected low levels of benzene at our facility and as a result has enacted a shelter in place for certain areas within our site. Shell has global standards for permissible exposure limits, where Shell’s permissible exposure limits differ from OSHA exposure limits, Shell will follow the more stringent criteria. In this case, the chemical readings we are seeing are at or below the OSHA permissible exposure limits but above Shell HSSE standards requiring a shelter in place. Individuals in the community seeking more information on air quality should contact their local office of emergency management.