Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro represents families impacted by Marathon refinery incident

EL PASO, Texas — Two weeks after tons of pollutants emitted from the Marathon Petroleum Refinery in South-Central El Paso, impacted residents still seek answers. Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. announced it's representing several families affected by the reported incidents.

The firm is also looking into whether the surrounding community was impacted.

According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the refinery released thousands of pounds of pollutants during two incidents between Aug. 4-5.

According to the TCEQ reports, a process upset and shutdown at the refinery resulted in emissions of 8,897.9 pounds of propylene, 862 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 19.1 pounds of 1,3-butadiene.

TAC said the emissions totaled "well above the refinery's permitted emission limits."

Clients of TAC reported a strong gas or petroleum-like smell in the nearby neighborhoods -- some even leaving their homes to avoid the smell. Some said they felt lightheaded and sick.

“We're hearing from families who were there that night and were affected by what happened,” said Daisy Chaparro, a partner at TAC. “Now that the TCEQ reports are available, people have legitimate questions about what was released into their neighborhood and what it means for the families who were exposed.”

The law firm is still asking anyone who believes they were affected by the Aug. 4 incident to contact them. You can contact the partners at 915-308-1000.