The chemical that could have killed millions in the Philly refinery fire
Listen 15:27
A fire burns at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery hours after a series of early morning explosions on June 21, 2019. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Listen to The Why wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | TuneIn
Hydrofluoric acid is a toxic chemical used in local refineries, including Philadelphia Energy Solutions where part of the refinery exploded last month. StateImpact Pennsylvania reporter Susan Phillips explains why a release of HF would have been disastrous. Could public backlash push the refining industry to stop using it?
Related Content
It's used to make cleaner-burning gasoline in about four dozen refineries in the U.S., including two in Philly region.
3 years ago
Brought to you by The Why
The Why
There’s more to every story if you take the time to tell it.
PES refinery demolition to take four years, new owner Hilco says
A public information session sought by the community laid out the details, and clarified who is responsible for cleanup of the contamination.
1 year ago
Cancer-causing benzene continues to flow from PES refinery complex
In 2020, levels dropped significantly due to the refinery’s shutdown, a recent report showed, but they remain high. The complex is being dismantled.
1 year ago
Listen 1:36
How Philly narrowly avoided disaster after refinery explosion
Federal regulators released a report that revealed just how close the city came to catastrophe after the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery explosion in June.
Air Date: October 21, 2019
Listen 14:09