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

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

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the maximum stage for benzene, 5 had been in Texas, 4 in Louisiana, and one every in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a brand new evaluation by the Environmental Integrity Venture revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a identified carcinogen that is extremely toxic and volatile when uncovered to air. A lot of the surplus emissions come via leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means that are onerous to detect.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 6.1 million folks in the US live within three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and folks of color 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 near the location, otherwise often known as the fence-line.

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

The EPA requires services to take motion in the event that they exceed an average 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “motion degree” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene beneath the action stage, 12 months after yr, we really have to see enforcement from the EPA,” stated Eric Schaeffer, the chief director of the Environmental Integrity Undertaking, in a press convention. “You might want to begin paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime publicity to benzene at ranges as little as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter might trigger a threat of as much as one additional cancer case for each one million uncovered, in accordance with the EPA. The higher the extent of benzene, the higher the well being risk.

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

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

“Individuals dwelling close to these services have higher [exposure] to lifetime cancer risk than another part of the state, but the regulatory agencies accountable for defending us proceed to approve permits for these facilities,” Gutierrez mentioned.

Environmental Integrity Venture notes that its analysis didn't measure concentrations of benzene inside neighborhoods adjoining to refineries, and does not replicate the precise levels of benzene inside the communities.

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