Feb 24, 2012:

PAULSBORO, N.J. - About 6.6 million gallons of crude oil have leaked from a storage tank at a New Jersey refinery, resulting in an odor that could affect the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection says. The oil has been leaking since Thursday afternoon into an emergency containment area at the Paulsboro Refining Co. site in Gloucester County, officials said in a news release.

According to the DEP, "The spill does not pose a threat to the Delaware River or to municipal water supplies." Petroleum odors have been reported in a number of surrounding communities as a result of the leak that developed in the base of the storage tank. The DEP says initial air monitoring by the Gloucester County Health Department and by refinery personnel do not indicate any health hazards from the odors.

"However, sensitive populations such as the elderly or people with respiratory conditions may consider staying indoors until odors subside," the DEP states in its news release. "Petroleum products have a low odor threshold, meaning they can be smelled readily even at very low levels that do not cause serious health risks."

The leaking storage tank holds 286,000 barrels of oil, or about 12 million gallons. The emergency containment area – essentially a large berm surrounding the tank – is designed to hold 377,000 barrels in the event of an emergency.

The 6.6 million gallon estimate on the leak was from a 4:30 p.m. Thursday report. Emergency crews are applying foam to the oil in the containment area to reduce vapors. The refinery is currently pumping oil left in the tank as well as oil in the containment area into other facilities at the site.

Those activities were expected to continue throughout the night. The DEP says it's monitoring the cleanup of crude oil in cooperation with various state and local agencies, and air monitoring is also being conducted both near the plant and in surrounding communities. Residents with questions may contact a community information line set up by the refinery at 856-224-6177.

By MyFox Philadelphia