US oil refineries spewing cancer-causing benzene into communities, report finds | Air 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 maximum level for benzene, five have been in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one each in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new evaluation by the Environmental Integrity Challenge revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a known carcinogen that's extremely toxic and risky when uncovered to air. Much of the excess emissions come by means of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means which can be laborious to detect.

The Environmental Safety Company estimates 6.1 million individuals in the US dwell within three miles of a refinery, with low-income folks and people of color represented at charges practically twice that of the general inhabitants.

Out of 129 operable oil refineries in 2021, 118 reported benzene concentration registered at or near the site, in any other case referred to as the fence-line.

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

The EPA requires amenities to take action in the event that they exceed a median 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “action stage” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene under the action level, yr after year, we actually have to see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the chief director of the Environmental Integrity Challenge, in a press conference. “It is advisable to begin paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime publicity to benzene at levels as little as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter could cause a risk of up to one further most cancers case for every a million exposed, according to the EPA. The higher the extent of benzene, the upper the health danger.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the highest common internet benzene ranges in 2021, in response to the analysis of the self-reported knowledge. Roughly 37,000 individuals live within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Among them, 62% are folks of shade and 47% are low-income.

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

“People living near these facilities have larger [exposure] to lifetime most cancers threat than any other part of the state, but the regulatory agencies chargeable for protecting us proceed to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez mentioned.

Environmental Integrity Mission notes that its analysis did not measure concentrations of benzene inside neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and doesn't reflect the actual ranges of benzene throughout the communities.

Marathon Petroleum and the EPA didn't instantly reply to a request for remark.