The Center for Public Integrity

An ongoing series by iWatch News reporters, Fueling Fears, is investigating hidden hazards at oil refineries across the U.S. Our first story exposed how the use of a toxic chemical — hydrofluoric acid — at 50 refineries puts at least 16 million Americans in the path of the acid in the event of an accidental release. To see if your community might be at risk, check out our interactive map.

Another piece revealed how regulatory flaws allow the refining industry to delay safety fixes, putting workers in harm's way.

Reporters Jim Morris and Chris Hamby are interested in hearing more about how oil refineries affect workers and surrounding communities. If you live near or work in a refinery, or know someone who does, please take a minute to tell us your experience.

Interested in learning more about the Public Insight Network? Read about how you can assist award-winning investigative journalists by sharing your expertise. 

Four authors of a new report concluding that bisphenol A is safe have ties to companies and groups that benefit from the controversial chemical, which is used to harden everyday plastics found in some food containers, cups and baby bottles.

Two of the researchers – Hermann Schweinfurth and Wolfgang Völkel – reported their affiliations in the report's "declaration of interest." Two others – Werner Lilienblum and Peter-Jürgen Kramer – have professional websites linking them to the chemical industry.

The report was written by the nine-member Advisory Committee to the German Society for Toxicology, the country's national association of toxicologists.

Schweinfurth acknowledged in his declaration that he works for Bayer Schering Pharma AG, the largest producer of bisphenol A, or BPA, in Europe.

Völkel reported receiving funding from the international industry group BPA Global in the past.

Lilienblum runs a “consultancy for the industry.” And Kramer describes himself as a "leading toxicologist in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry" who is currently "developing and shaping" toxicology in Germany and throughout Europe.

Government calls on industry to take more aggressive action on refinery safety.