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

A dozen US oil refineries last 12 months exceeded the federal limit on common benzene emissions.

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the maximum stage for benzene, 5 have been in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one every in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Undertaking revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a known carcinogen that is extremely toxic and risky when exposed to air. Much of the surplus emissions come by means of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means that are laborious to detect.

The Environmental Safety Company estimates 6.1 million people within the US reside inside three miles of a refinery, with low-income folks and other people of coloration represented at rates 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 location, otherwise often known as the fence-line.

Almost half of those refineries released benzene ranges above 3 micrograms per cubic meter, which the Environmental Integrity Venture defines as a long-term potential well being threat.

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

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the action stage, yr after yr, we actually need to see enforcement from the EPA,” mentioned Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Project, in a press convention. “It's essential begin paying penalties when your fence-line ranges persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at ranges as little as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter may trigger a risk of as much as one extra most cancers case for each one million uncovered, in line with the EPA. The higher the extent of benzene, the upper the well being danger.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the very best common web benzene levels in 2021, in keeping with the evaluation of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 individuals dwell within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are people of color and 47% are low-income.

“This analysis offers vital perception into why the Houston area is an industrial most cancers hotspot,” stated Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press convention.

“People residing near these services have larger [exposure] to lifetime most cancers risk than any other a part of the state, but the regulatory agencies accountable for protecting us continue to approve permits for these services,” Gutierrez said.

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

Marathon Petroleum and the EPA didn't instantly respond to a request for remark.