Help us urge PA DEP to change permitting at Shell Polymers Monaca!

Shell’s Toxic Leaks Threaten Waterways: Why Stronger Protections Are Needed
For years, chemicals have been leaking from the Shell Chemical plant in Beaver County into nearby rivers and land. These chemicals don’t harm just fish and wildlife—they can also end up in the water we drink. The Shell plant is located near the Ohio River, which supplies drinking water to millions of people. That’s why the Environmental Integrity Project, Three Rivers Waterkeeper, Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community, Clean Air Council, and Mountain Watershed Association have submitted a letter, asking the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to make changes to Shell’s permit to better protect our water, health, and environment.
What are the changes being asked for?
Monthly testing for dangerous metals
Right now, Shell isn’t required to test for harmful metals frequently enough. We want Shell to test for metals like lead, arsenic, cadmium, selenium, thallium, antimony, and zinc every month at the main stormwater outfall (Outfall 001). These metals have been found in stormwater from the plant and can pose serious health risks if they contaminate drinking water.Monthly testing for PFAS
In 2022, EPA identified the Shell plant as a source “known or suspected to discharge” per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Exposure to high levels of PFAS in drinking water may cause a variety of health risks, including increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, hormone disruption, and an increased risk of thyroid disease. We ask the PA DEP to add monthly monitoring for PFAS monthly at Outfall 1 and the groundwater outfalls 5 and 15 (because if Class B foam was used on the site, PFAS is likely still present in the groundwater).Set strict limits on toxic metals
The levels of metals like zinc, lead, and aluminum in water discharged from the plant have been much higher than expected. These metals can build up in the environment, harming fish and people. We are asking for new limits on these metals at several discharge points (Outfalls 2, 5, 6, 8, 14, 16, and more) to prevent dangerous pollution.Limits for two toxic chemicals
Two highly dangerous chemicals, 1245-tetrachlorobenzene and pentachlorobenzene, have been found at levels much higher than safe limits. These chemicals can stay in the environment for a long time and build up in fish, potentially entering the food chain. Worse, the Ohio River, where Shell discharges its water, is used as a source of drinking water. The letter asks for limits on these chemicals and better monitoring to protect public health.More frequent stormwater inspections
Stormwater from the plant often contains harmful pollutants. Right now, inspections are only required twice a year, which isn’t enough to catch problems early. We are calling for monthly stormwater inspections to help prevent future pollution and keep harmful chemicals out of our waterways.A plan to clean up groundwater pollution
There is already polluted groundwater at the site, which could continue leaking toxic chemicals if left untreated. We are asking Shell to come up with a solid plan to clean up polluted groundwater to meet drinking water standards and start implementing it within the year.
Why act now?
Shell’s plant has a history of leaking harmful chemicals into the environment, and current rules aren’t enough to stop it from happening again. Without stricter limits and more frequent testing, dangerous pollutants could keep finding their way into the Ohio River and the surrounding land. By making these changes, we can help ensure cleaner, safer water for our communities.