Students at the school of the Virgin Islands us sickened by the refinery of vapours (Yahoo!)

(PN: CHARLOTTE AMALIE, Virgin Islands) Virgin Islands officials say 15 Holy Cross secondary school teachers and students have been verified and released from a hospital after exposure to the nearby Hovensa LLC oil refinery hydrocarbon vapors.

Local emergency management office says refinery authorities monitor the air around the school. No one else was bothered by vapours and there is no hospitalization, explains the Director of the school.

Delegate vote Virgin Islands at the Congress, Donna Christensen, issued a statement saying that she is "more concerned about the health and safety" of residents and workers in the refinery.

Spokesman Alex Moorhead refinery does not immediately return calls for comment.

Hovensa is a joint venture of Hess Corp. and Petroleos de Venezuela, SA.

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