BASF fined for benzene emissions

BASF, the German-owned chemical manufacturing plant in Freeport, has paid $5,206 for releasing 125 pounds of benzene last November during an 82-hour emissions event, state regulators say in a settlement finalized on Wednesday.

BASF didn't report the incident until February 2009, so they got called on the carpet for that too by the state.

Even so, the state deferred $1,301 of the penalty if BASF fixes what caused the benzene release, which it apparently has done, and Brazosport remains safe (we think).