The Environment Agency (EA) is considering legal action against Huntsman Polyurethanes, a petrochemical company in Redcar, North Yorkshire, for potential permit breaches related to benzene emissions. Benzene, a carcinogen with no safe exposure level according to the World Health Organization, was emitted directly into the air after Huntsman decommissioned a reduction process in 2023 and replaced it with an alternative method that periodically paused. EA documents reveal the agency was aware of the issue in 2023 but did not investigate until 2025, during which time annual benzene emissions rose from 13 tonnes in 2022 to 17 tonnes in 2024.