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

A dozen US oil refineries last year exceeded the federal limit on average benzene emissions.

Among the 12 refineries that emitted above the utmost stage for benzene, 5 have been in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one every in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Undertaking revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a identified carcinogen that is highly toxic and unstable when uncovered to air. Much of the excess emissions come by leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means that are arduous to detect.

The Environmental Protection Company estimates 6.1 million folks within the US dwell inside three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and other people of coloration represented at rates nearly 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 known as the fence-line.

Nearly half of those refineries launched benzene levels above 3 micrograms per cubic meter, which the Environmental Integrity Venture 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 “action degree” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene beneath the motion degree, 12 months after 12 months, we really need to see enforcement from the EPA,” stated Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Mission, in a press convention. “You need to 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 trigger a risk of up to one further most cancers case for each one million uncovered, based on the EPA. The higher the level of benzene, the upper the health threat.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the highest average net benzene levels in 2021, in line with the analysis of the self-reported knowledge. Roughly 37,000 people live within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are individuals of shade and 47% are low-income.

“This evaluation offers essential perception into why the Houston space is an industrial most cancers hotspot,” said Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, at the press conference.

“Individuals living close to these amenities have higher [exposure] to lifetime most cancers threat than some other a part of the state, but the regulatory businesses answerable for protecting us proceed to approve permits for these facilities,” Gutierrez said.

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

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