Most of the storage tanks that burned at ITC contained components of gasoline, including benzene, company officials have said. A: Breathing high levels of benzene can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ———Q: Have there been other problems with high benzene levels? A: High levels of benzene were found in the Houston neighborhood of Manchester in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey. Last month, Drummond Company agreed to pay a $775,000 fine because of benzene air violations at its ABC Coke plant in Tarrant, Alabama, just north of Birmingham.

Source: ABC News March 21, 2019 18:15 UTC