Built with the biggest tax break in state history, the plant will employ 600 people permanently. But air pollution and other concerns are driving some people away.

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.

The ethane cracker received the largest tax subsidy ever in Pa., employed as many as 8,500 during construction, will have 600 permanent jobs and is sparking both hope and concerns from people who live near it.

The plastics plant was the beneficiary of $1.65 billion in tax credits, and will produce 1.6 million tonnes of plastic a year. 

Shell says the spill was caused by faulty equipment.

Shell said the odors could be associated with anti-corrosion treatments to the plant’s cooling water tower. 

Largest construction site in the country had over 100 cases in December; photos show mask policy not always followed.

“Our staff was alarmed by the whistleblower’s allegations and concerned for the safety of people living along the pathway of the Falcon Pipeline,” the DEP said in a letter to regulators and others.

“It just kind of changed the game for all industries, including this one,” said a spokesman for a company that wants to build an ethane cracker. “And so they have had to put off their announcement of a decision.”