Benzene vapors from Monroe fuel spill displaces Bethel family
MIPC LLC, which operates the Chelsea aviation fuel tank farm in Aston, has temporarily relocated a Bethel family living near the farm’s western fenceline due to “vapor intrusion” into the house. It is evaluating a second home for the same issue.
MIPC, a subsdiary of Monroe Energy, which refines aviation fuel at its refinery in Trainer, issued a statement Friday, May 1, announcing the relocation.
The announcement did not explain the nature of the vapors, but Pennsylvania Rep. Leanne Krueger released a statement saying the PA Department of Environmental Protection had identified the fumes as benzene, a cancer-causing organic compound that is a constituent of petroleum products. An MIPC spokesman confirmed that the contamination is benzene vapors.
DEP learned from MIPC last December, that gasoline that leaked from a tank within its property, starting in August 2025, may have released up to 9,000 barrels of fuel, equivalent to 378,000 gallons.
The agency ordered the tank farm to Identify residents with private supply wells within 1,000 feet of the western side of the facility in Bethel, Upper Chichester, and Aston Townships.
MIPC is in the process of completing an environmental investigation, conducting a vapor intrusion analysis of nearby homes and developing a remedial action plan.
According to MIPC’s statement, the family was relocated “out of an abundance of caution” while the company installs a mitigation system, like the ones commonly used to disperse radon fumes in homes.
The company will bear the entire cost of installing the system as well as the cost of temporary housing for the family until the system is operational, the statement said. MIPC says it was granted access to investigate the effects of the spill in several nearby homes and “identified air quality concerns in two nearby residences that abut our fenceline.”
The statement did not say what actions it may be taking regarding the second home. MICP posts documents regarding the spill, including weekly progress reports and notifications, at its website chelseatankupdates.com.
The company maintains a hot line – 610-364-8426 – for area residents and it has been holding weekly office hours for residents to inquire about the progress of its investigation and cleanup.
Krueger urged concerned residents to call the hotline for testing, to call the DEP complaint line at 866-255-5158 to make a complaint and to call the state Department of Health for health concerns at 717-787-3350.
Jodine Mayberry for the Clearinghouse
