Shell’s ethane cracker is scheduled to open soon and begin processing ethane into plastic pellets.

Environmental groups and researchers want to establish a baseline for the small pieces of plastic, so they can tell if nurdles are getting into the river from the massive plant.

On Tuesday, Shell said it was keeping the site open while working to limit the potential spread of the coronavirus. On Wednesday, it said suspending construction was in the “best long-term interest of our workforce, nearby townships” and the state.