After suffering a valve leak and release of liquified petroleum gas from a second tank, the BP Whiting Refinery is working to mitigate any odors.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management reports that a spill of dirty gas oil at the refinery gave off benzene and hydrogen sulfide vapors, both of which are toxic and have been linked to adverse health effects.

The spill is the likely cause of the strong odors many residents have reported in Whiting.

The Times of Northwest Indiana reports that air monitoring equipment was immediately deployed following the leak and that monitoring has so far shown no elevated readings. Air monitoring will continue until the response is completed.