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

A dozen US oil refineries final year exceeded the federal limit on common benzene emissions.

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

Benzene is a known carcinogen that is highly poisonous and risky when uncovered to air. Much of the excess emissions come via leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means which are exhausting to detect.

The Environmental Protection Company estimates 6.1 million individuals within the US live inside three miles of a refinery, with low-income folks and folks of colour represented at charges practically twice that of the general inhabitants.

Out of 129 operable oil refineries in 2021, 118 reported benzene focus registered at or close to the positioning, otherwise often called the fence-line.

Nearly half of those refineries launched benzene ranges above 3 micrograms per cubic meter, which the Environmental Integrity Undertaking defines as a long-term potential well being menace.

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

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene under the motion degree, 12 months after yr, we really need to see enforcement from the EPA,” mentioned Eric Schaeffer, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Venture, in a press convention. “You should begin 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 as much as one extra cancer case for every a million exposed, in keeping with the EPA. The higher the level of benzene, the upper the health risk.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas Metropolis had the very best average internet benzene levels in 2021, in line with the evaluation of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 individuals live inside a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are people of shade and 47% are low-income.

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

“Folks dwelling near these amenities have larger [exposure] to lifetime most cancers risk than another part of the state, yet the regulatory companies responsible for protecting us proceed to approve permits for these facilities,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Undertaking notes that its evaluation did not measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and doesn't reflect the actual ranges of benzene within the communities.

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