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

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

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the utmost degree for benzene, 5 were in Texas, 4 in Louisiana, and one each in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a brand new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Challenge revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a recognized carcinogen that is highly toxic and unstable when exposed to air. Much of the surplus emissions come by way of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means which are arduous to detect.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 6.1 million people in the US live within three miles of a refinery, with low-income folks and other people of coloration represented at charges practically twice that of the final population.

Out of 129 operable oil refineries in 2021, 118 reported benzene focus registered at or near the site, otherwise known as the fence-line.

Nearly half of these refineries released 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 services to take motion in the event that they exceed an average 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “motion stage” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the action degree, year after 12 months, we really need to see enforcement from the EPA,” mentioned Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Undertaking, 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 might cause a threat of up to one extra most cancers case for every one million exposed, based on the EPA. The higher the extent of benzene, the upper the well being risk.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the highest common internet benzene levels in 2021, in line with the evaluation of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 individuals live within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are individuals of coloration and 47% are low-income.

“This analysis supplies vital perception into why the Houston space is an industrial cancer hotspot,” stated Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press convention.

“People residing near these services have greater [exposure] to lifetime most cancers threat than some other a part of the state, yet the regulatory companies responsible for defending us proceed to approve permits for these facilities,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Venture notes that its evaluation didn't measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjoining to refineries, and doesn't reflect the actual ranges of benzene inside the communities.

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