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

A dozen US oil refineries last year exceeded the federal limit on average benzene emissions.

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the utmost stage for benzene, 5 have been in Texas, 4 in Louisiana, and one each in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new evaluation by the Environmental Integrity Undertaking revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a known carcinogen that is extremely toxic and risky when uncovered to air. A lot of the surplus emissions come by way of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means which might be arduous to detect.

The Environmental Safety 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 rates almost twice that of the general population.

Out of 129 operable oil refineries in 2021, 118 reported benzene concentration registered at or close to the location, otherwise generally known as the fence-line.

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

The EPA requires amenities to take motion in the event that they exceed a mean 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “action degree” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene under the motion stage, year after year, we really need to see enforcement from the EPA,” stated Eric Schaeffer, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Undertaking, in a press conference. “You must start paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at levels as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter might cause a threat of up to one extra most cancers case for every a million exposed, in line with the EPA. The upper the level of benzene, the higher the health risk.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the highest common internet benzene ranges in 2021, in response to the analysis of the self-reported knowledge. Roughly 37,000 folks reside within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Among them, 62% are individuals of colour and 47% are low-income.

“This analysis provides essential insight into why the Houston space is an industrial cancer hotspot,” mentioned Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, at the press conference.

“Individuals living near these services have larger [exposure] to lifetime most cancers risk than some other part of the state, yet the regulatory companies answerable for protecting us continue to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Undertaking notes that its evaluation didn't measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and doesn't replicate the actual levels of benzene within the communities.

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