英国北部的塑料制造商亨茨曼聚氨酯公司因苯排放超标问题面临英国环境署的潜在法律诉讼。[1]该公司位于泰赛德地区雷德卡，2023年更换了苯排放控制工艺，但排放量随后反而有所上升。[1]据记录，苯排放量从2022年的13吨增至2024年的17吨。[1]环境署在检查中发现多项许可证违规，建模结果显示在某些情景下苯排放超过24小时限值达933%。[1]
亨茨曼公司声称其排放"完全符合许可证条件"。[1]环境署正在考虑进一步的执法行动。[1]值得注意的是，环境署早在2023年就已知悉新工艺存在的问题，但直到2025年才展开调查，并于2026年3月指示该公司进行建模评估。[1]英国卫生安全委员会和健康与安全执行委员会已被告知此事。[1]绿色和平组织研究员称此为"悲剧"，对监管部门反应缓慢表示失望。[1]
Huntsman Polyurethanes, a plastic manufacturer in northern England, could face legal proceedings from the UK Environment Agency over rising benzene emissions and permit violations. [1] The company's benzene discharge levels increased from 13 tonnes in 2022 to 17 tonnes in 2024, despite implementing new emission control technology in 2023. [1] Modeling conducted by regulators found that under certain scenarios, benzene emissions exceeded the 24-hour limit by 933 percent. [1]
The Environment Agency has identified multiple breaches of the facility's operating permit and is considering enforcement action. [1] Huntsman Polyurethanes has maintained that its emissions are "entirely compliant with permit conditions." [1] The case has drawn scrutiny from environmental advocates, with a Greenpeace researcher characterizing the situation as tragic and criticizing the regulatory response as slow. [1]