US oil refineries spewing cancer-causing benzene into communities, report finds | Air pollution

A dozen US oil refineries final yr exceeded the federal limit on common benzene emissions.

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the maximum level for benzene, 5 were in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one every in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new evaluation by the Environmental Integrity Project revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a known carcinogen that's highly toxic and volatile when exposed to air. Much of the excess emissions come by leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means which might be onerous to detect.

The Environmental Protection Company estimates 6.1 million individuals within the US reside within three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and folks of colour represented at charges almost twice that of the overall population.

Out of 129 operable oil refineries in 2021, 118 reported benzene focus registered at or close to the positioning, in any other case referred to as the fence-line.

Nearly half of these refineries launched benzene ranges above 3 micrograms per cubic meter, which the Environmental Integrity Mission defines as a long-term potential well being threat.

The EPA requires amenities to take motion if they exceed a mean 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “motion stage” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the motion degree, year after yr, we really have to see enforcement from the EPA,” stated Eric Schaeffer, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Mission, in a press convention. “It is advisable begin paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at ranges as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter could trigger a threat of as much as one further most cancers case for each one million uncovered, in keeping with the EPA. The upper the extent of benzene, the higher the health threat.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the very best average web benzene levels in 2021, based on the analysis of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 people stay within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are individuals of shade and 47% are low-income.

“This evaluation gives necessary insight into why the Houston area is an industrial most cancers hotspot,” stated Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press convention.

“Individuals residing near these services have better [exposure] to lifetime cancer danger than any other part of the state, but the regulatory businesses liable for defending us proceed to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez stated.

Environmental Integrity Venture notes that its evaluation did not measure concentrations of benzene inside neighborhoods adjoining to refineries, and does not replicate the precise ranges of benzene throughout the communities.

Marathon Petroleum and the EPA did not immediately reply to a request for comment.