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 level for benzene, five 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 Mission revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a recognized carcinogen that is extremely poisonous and unstable when uncovered to air. Much of the surplus emissions come by leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means that are arduous to detect.

The Environmental Safety Agency estimates 6.1 million people in the US stay inside three miles of a refinery, with low-income folks and folks of colour 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 positioning, otherwise generally known as the fence-line.

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

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

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the action degree, yr after 12 months, we really have to see enforcement from the EPA,” stated Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Challenge, in a press conference. “That you must start paying penalties when your fence-line ranges persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at ranges as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter may cause a danger of up to one further most cancers case for every one million uncovered, according to the EPA. The higher the extent of benzene, the upper the health danger.

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

“This analysis supplies important insight into why the Houston area is an industrial most cancers hotspot,” stated Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press convention.

“People dwelling close to these facilities have larger [exposure] to lifetime cancer risk than any other a part of the state, but the regulatory agencies liable for protecting us continue to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Project notes that its analysis did not measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and does not reflect the precise levels of benzene within the communities.

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