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

A dozen US oil refineries last 12 months exceeded the federal restrict on average benzene emissions.

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the maximum level for benzene, five had been in Texas, 4 in Louisiana, and one every in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new evaluation by the Environmental Integrity Challenge revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a recognized carcinogen that's extremely toxic and unstable when exposed to air. Much of the surplus emissions come by way of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means which can be exhausting to detect.

The Environmental Safety Agency estimates 6.1 million folks in the US live within three miles of a refinery, with low-income folks and folks of coloration represented at charges nearly twice that of the general inhabitants.

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

Almost half of these refineries launched benzene ranges above 3 micrograms per cubic meter, which the Environmental Integrity Mission defines as a long-term potential health menace.

The EPA requires amenities to take action if they exceed an average 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “action degree” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene beneath the action level, year after 12 months, we actually must see enforcement from the EPA,” stated Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Venture, in a press conference. “It is advisable to start paying penalties when your fence-line ranges persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at levels as little as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter could trigger a danger of up to one extra cancer case for each a million exposed, according to the EPA. The higher the level of benzene, the upper the well being threat.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the best average net benzene ranges in 2021, in response to the evaluation of the self-reported data. Roughly 37,000 individuals stay within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are individuals of shade and 47% are low-income.

“This evaluation supplies important perception into why the Houston space is an industrial most cancers hotspot,” stated Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press conference.

“Individuals living near these facilities have greater [exposure] to lifetime cancer threat than some other part of the state, yet the regulatory companies responsible for defending us continue to approve permits for these services,” Gutierrez stated.

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

Marathon Petroleum and the EPA didn't instantly reply to a request for comment.