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

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

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

Benzene is a known carcinogen that's highly toxic and unstable when uncovered to air. A lot of the excess emissions come by way of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means that are laborious to detect.

The Environmental Safety Company estimates 6.1 million individuals within the US stay within three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and folks of shade represented at charges nearly twice that of the overall population.

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

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

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

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the action degree, year after 12 months, we actually must see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project, in a press convention. “It's good to start paying penalties when your fence-line ranges persist,” he added.

Lifetime publicity to benzene at levels as little as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter might trigger a danger of as much as one extra cancer case for every a million uncovered, according to the EPA. The higher the extent of benzene, the higher the well being threat.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the very best common net benzene ranges in 2021, in response to the evaluation of the self-reported knowledge. Roughly 37,000 people dwell within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are individuals of colour and 47% are low-income.

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

“Folks living close to these services have better [exposure] to lifetime most cancers threat than some other part of the state, but the regulatory agencies liable for protecting us continue to approve permits for these facilities,” Gutierrez stated.

Environmental Integrity Mission notes that its evaluation did not measure concentrations of benzene inside neighborhoods adjoining to refineries, and does not replicate the actual ranges of benzene within the communities.

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