Environment

St. Croix Residents Raise Alarm Over Unidentified Chemical Odor; Capeheart Calls for Urgent Investigation

ST. CROIX — Residents and workers near Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation’s (PHRT) refinery on the island’s south shore have been complaining about a persistent and strong chemical odor that has been affecting the community for more than a week. People working at the Container Port, in particular, have reported a smell resembling diesel or other chemicals, and have also reported adverse health effects such as respiratory issues and headaches. In response to rising complaints, Senator Diane Capeheart issued a release Tuesday stating that she contacted the Department of Planning and Natural Resources' Division of Environmental Protection. The division's assistant director, George Patrick, confirmed that the department has itself received several complaints from the community but has yet to pinpoint the source or cause of the odor. In a public statement, Capeheart reminded the community of the recently formed task force by the U.S. Department of Justice designed to investigate e...