xylene

The agency noted Tesla’s use of toxic chemicals in its paint shop — formaldehyde, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, and xylene, “known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious side effects.”

Tom Burke, director of the Johns Hopkins Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute, said the sealant included xylenes, chemical compounds often used as solvents that act on the brain and nervous system.

County officials say the fire involved such toxic chemicals as toluene, xylene, triethanolamine and monoethanolaminealcohol, but air monitors detected no unsafe air pollution levels.

The disasters poured cancer-causing xylene, benzene and other petrochemicals into the air, nauseating residents.

The refinery cancelled the xylene portion of the project after completing the part of the project that allowed it to reduce the amount of sulfur in its fuel products, refinery officials said.