UK Plastic Manufacturer Faces Legal Action Over Toxic Benzene Emissions Impacting Health
A plastic manufacturer in the north of England, Huntsman Polyurethanes, is under scrutiny for potential legal action due to emissions of benzene, a carcinogenic chemical. The Environment Agency (EA) is considering legal proceedings against the company for a possible breach of its environmental license, which is a criminal offense. The company, part of the global Huntsman Corporation, replaced a process that reduced benzene emissions with a new method that has been intermittently paused, leading to increased emissions. The EA's records indicate that benzene emissions rose from 13 tonnes in 2022 to 17 tonnes in 2024. Benzene is known to cause leukemia, and there is no safe level of exposure according to the World Health Organization. Despite Huntsman's claims of compliance, the EA is contemplating further enforcement actions due to permit breaches. 
