SOUTH PHILADELPHIA - January 14, 2010 (WPVI) -- Some people in South Philadelphia and southern New Jersey were awakened by a strong odor early Thursday morning.
Officials from Philadelphia Emergency Management confirmed the smell came from the Sunoco refinery on Passyunk Avenue.
The refinery was emptying a tank, and something spilled on its floating roof. Sunoco said the material does not pose a health hazard, but created the foul smell that can be described as sulfur.
Tests from the NJ DEP also indicate this is nontoxic.
Sunoco said it is working to clean up the problem.
Who Knew? Sunoco was fined $300 for this incident. The oral drug Tarceva (erlotinib,) used in combination with the intravenous drug Gemzar (gemcitabine,) to treat Pancreatic Cancer, is a newer form of chemotherapy. This means it is "minimally" covered by Medicare (it's complicated... if you select, and pay for, the proper Medicare "Parts", you would pay $1,200 per month until you fall into some galactic donut hole, where you then begin to pay $3,900 per month. If you do not have the proper Medicare coverage, you are out-of-luck, and must pay full price, or $3,900 per month.) The bottom line ~ Tarceva only extends the average life of a Pancreatic Cancer patient by 2 weeks. The average life expectancy of a Stage IV Inoperable Pancreatic Cancer patient is 3-6 months. Therefore, it could cost $23,400 to extend life for 2 weeks with this "silent killer." hmmmm $300 ... something doesn't smell quite right.
