Owner of Coke Plant Speaks Out About Alleged Benzene Exposure

Tonawanda, NY
Benzene exposure is no trivial matter. This is because benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia. J.D. Crane, owner of the Tonawanda Coke factory, knows this all too well. Recently, Crane sat down with Tonawanda News to discuss some of the aspects of recent controversy involving accusations about his facility polluting the area and causing benzene exposure.

Alleged Benzene Exposure from Coke Plant
Allegations about Crane’s plant being at fault for an increase in cancer rates in the areas surrounding the plant have led to much speculation. Adding to this is the fact that for a long time, Crane has remained silent about this issue. He told Tonawanda News, “We don’t try our cases in the media.”

What started all of this was a year long air monitoring study of the area done by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The results of the study showed heavy benzene emissions coming from the Coke factory. So now that Crane is speaking up, what is he saying?

Crane’s Response about Benzene Emissions
One of the things that were mentioned involved the nature of how benzene ended up being emitted by the Coke factory in the first place. Crane described how benzene is a by-product of the coke making process. Since being approached by the DEC, Crane’s facility has been able to virtually eliminate this by using alternative methods to filtering out harmful products.

Another thing Crane began to wonder about is how complaints poured into the DEC all of sudden with no change in their practices. Written complaints poured in the 2008-2009 winter. These complaints were mainly irritant complaints involving people reporting burning sensations of the throat and eyes.

As the ongoing legislation over this issue unfolds, we will report the latest news here. If you or someone you love has suffered from the devastating effects of benzene exposure, contact the benzene experts at Nadrich and Cohen.

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If you or a loved one has suffered as the result of Benzene poisoning, please contact a Benzene exposure attorney at Nadrich & Cohen, LLP immediately.

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