US investigates release at BP's Texas refinery

HOUSTON: The US Environmental Protection Agency is investigating a 40-day benzene release at BP's Texas City refinery, the site of a 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers.

The EPA's investigation comes after Texas filed suit against BP over the toxic release in April. Texas City residents have also filed a class-action suit against BP seeking $10 billion in damages.

EPA regional director Al Armendariz says the agency joined the investigation to ensure ``disclosure of all information by BP.'' Initially, the EPA is requiring BP to disclose information regarding its operations during the incident.

BP is already facing criticism for problems that led to the refinery explosion in 2005 and for the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill earlier this year.