Investigating Pollution: Tracking Plastic Pellets and Contaminants at Shell’s Plastics Plant

The presence of the Shell plastics plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, has raised concerns about its impact on the environment and the health of the Ohio River. Evan Clark, the Waterkeeper at Three Rivers Waterkeeper, has been monitoring the plant’s activities and its effects on the river for nearly two years. The plant, which produces plastic pellets called nurdles, has been found to release contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the river.

Clark and his team at the Mountain Watershed Association conducted soil samples from the riverbanks upstream and downstream of the plant, finding over 700 nurdles of different colors and sizes. These nurdles, once in the water, can be mistaken for food by aquatic life and can cause harm to both wildlife and humans. The concentration of nurdles found in the area is alarming and points to a larger issue of plastic pollution in the region.

Heather Hulton VanTassel, the executive director of Three Rivers Waterkeeper, expressed concerns about the legacy contaminants present on the site of the plant, as well as the discharge of produced water containing harmful chemicals like benzene. The plant’s wastewater discharges have been found to contain more organics than anticipated, leading to further environmental concerns.

The long-term implications of the Shell plant’s presence on the health of the river and the surrounding area remain uncertain. The plant’s violations and the release of contaminants raise concerns about the potential for chronic health issues in the future. The difficulty in proving direct causation of harm from exposure to these chemicals makes it challenging to hold industries accountable for their actions.

The public should be aware of the ongoing pollution from industrial sites in the region and how it contributes to the overall environmental degradation. The acceptance of new industries in areas with a history of pollution can perpetuate environmental harm and hinder efforts to hold polluters accountable. It is essential for communities to demand better regulations and accountability from industries to protect waterways and prevent further pollution.

Overall, the presence of the Shell plastics plant highlights the broader issue of plastic production and pollution in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The region’s industrial history and the acceptance of new industries pose challenges to environmental protection efforts. By advocating for stricter regulations and holding industries accountable, communities can work towards a cleaner and healthier environment for all.