The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has installed air monitoring equipment in three areas near HOVENSA oil refinery on St, Croix. This is in response to community concerns about the health impacts of chemical releases into the air.

According to the full article, the study “will provide information to EPA and local residents on whether air quality near the monitoring locations poses health concerns and to guide the strategies for reducing local air pollution. EPA will use the information gathered in the study to help determine next steps, which could include additional monitoring or enforcement actions where appropriate. The goal is to protect public health by preventing exposure to pollution from the facility.”

The article goes on to say that “once monitoring is complete, the results from all of the locations will be analyzed to evaluate the potential for health concerns related to long-term exposure to these pollutants. The preliminary monitoring data is expected to be made public by late spring and a final report should be completed by the summer.”

The full article is available here http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/us_virgin_islands_news/238984.html