In the northern part of Staten Island, north of the expressway, the terrace to the ferry, we are regularly, depending on the direction of the wind, hit with a noxious chemical smell, which causes chest issues, nausea and headaches. It is believed to be benzene, mixed with other refinery chemicals. At least once a month it is so bad that you can hear the blaring of fire trucks responding to 311 calls of chemical leaks. All they can do is take down your info and tell you to lock your windows. The truth is that during the summer we keep our windows open to cool the house, and during the winter the furnaces draw in air from outside, the chemicals included, to operate. There are days we have to wear masks indoors, pre-pandemic. The only real protection is the direction the wind blows.
