Shelter In Place

The vast, sprawling complexes of oil refineries and petro-chemical plants help make the Texan economy one of the biggest in the world. But does the wealth come at too a high a price to the local community? Beautifully filmed, and burningly relevant. In this sleepy Texan town there's always a flare on the horizon, funnelling out of the chimney of some vast, grey, oil refinery. And there's always a fear: "Go inside a building or vehicle. Close all windows and doors. Stay off the telephone and turn on the television for more information." This is shelter in place. Announced by loudspeaker, and part of the local poor, black community's routine: "all my kids have respiratory problems, but I can't afford to do better". 'Benzene', 'butadiene', 'hydrogen sulphide', 'nitrogen oxide'... all pollute the air around the neighbourhoods of the Texan outback: "We know where it's coming from, we been knowing for years but we didn't know what to do about it." Each year, Texan industry is permitted to emit millions of tons of toxic pollutants into the air. Refineries are also allowed to release thousands of tons more in 'accidental' or 'unscheduled' emissions. The law defines these as 'upsets'. But toxic suits and breathing masks can't be the norm... "They sedate you with the little cheques, and you forget for a little while", says Latasha, a mother of three. The Director of Media Relations at Valero Energy Corp. describes such pay-offs as "standard procedure". But a powerful sense of ...

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Orignal From: Shelter In Place