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 12 refineries that emitted above the maximum level for benzene, five have been in Texas, 4 in Louisiana, and one every 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 extremely poisonous and risky when uncovered to air. Much of the surplus emissions come via leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means that are arduous to detect.

The Environmental Protection Company estimates 6.1 million individuals in the US reside inside three miles of a refinery, with low-income folks and other people of shade represented at charges practically twice that of the general population.

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

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

The EPA requires amenities to take action 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 level, year after year, we really need to see enforcement from the EPA,” mentioned Eric Schaeffer, the chief director of the Environmental Integrity Undertaking, in a press conference. “You might want to begin paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime publicity to benzene at ranges as little as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter may trigger a risk of up to one additional most cancers case for each one million uncovered, in keeping with the EPA. The higher the level of benzene, the upper the health danger.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the very best average web benzene ranges in 2021, according to the evaluation of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 folks reside within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are folks of colour and 47% are low-income.

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

“People living near these services have greater [exposure] to lifetime cancer threat than any other a part of the state, but the regulatory businesses responsible for protecting us continue to approve permits for these services,” Gutierrez stated.

Environmental Integrity Venture notes that its analysis didn't measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjoining to refineries, and does not replicate the actual levels of benzene throughout the communities.

Marathon Petroleum and the EPA didn't instantly respond to a request for comment.