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

A dozen US oil refineries final 12 months exceeded the federal limit on average benzene emissions.

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the utmost degree for benzene, 5 were in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one each in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a brand new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Undertaking revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a identified carcinogen that is highly toxic and volatile when uncovered to air. A lot of the surplus emissions come through leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means which can be laborious to detect.

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

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

Nearly 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 threat.

The EPA requires facilities to take motion in the event that 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 stage, year after year, we really have to see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Project, in a press conference. “That you must start paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at levels as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter could cause a threat of up to one additional cancer case for each a million exposed, in accordance with the EPA. The upper the extent of benzene, the higher the health risk.

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

“This analysis offers essential perception into why the Houston area is an industrial cancer hotspot,” stated Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press conference.

“People residing near these amenities have greater [exposure] to lifetime most cancers risk than any other part of the state, but the regulatory agencies accountable for defending us proceed to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez said.

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

Marathon Petroleum and the EPA did not immediately reply to a request for remark.