Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand plans to speak to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency later this week about dangerous levels of a carcinogen being emitted at Tonawanda Coke Corp.

Gillibrand, D-N. Y., also wrote to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in late July about her concerns.

“I continue to be deeply concerned about the air quality surrounding Tonawanda Coke,” Gillibrand told The Buffalo News in a statement.

The state’s junior senator said she felt it was “critical” that the EPA in Washington meet with local residents to address the issue.

The Town of Tonawanda coke foundry was found by the state Department of Environmental Conservation to be emitting the levels of benzene emissions following a yearlong study funded by the EPA.

Tonawanda Coke declined to comment.