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 average benzene emissions.

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the utmost level for benzene, five have been in Texas, 4 in Louisiana, and one every in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Mission revealed on Thursday.

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

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 6.1 million folks within the US stay within 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 near the location, otherwise referred to as the fence-line.

Nearly half of those refineries launched benzene levels above 3 micrograms per cubic meter, which the Environmental Integrity Challenge defines as a long-term potential health menace.

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

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the action degree, year after 12 months, we really have to see enforcement from the EPA,” mentioned Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Mission, in a press conference. “You want to 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 could cause a risk of as much as one additional most cancers case for every one million uncovered, in line with the EPA. The higher the extent of benzene, the higher the health threat.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas Metropolis had the highest average web benzene ranges in 2021, in accordance with the analysis of the self-reported knowledge. Roughly 37,000 individuals dwell within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are people of colour and 47% are low-income.

“This evaluation supplies important insight into why the Houston space is an industrial cancer hotspot,” stated Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press conference.

“People dwelling near these amenities have better [exposure] to lifetime cancer threat than every other a part of the state, but the regulatory agencies liable for protecting us continue to approve permits for these services,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Challenge notes that its evaluation did not measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjoining to refineries, and does not mirror the precise ranges of benzene within the communities.

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