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

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

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the maximum degree for benzene, five have been in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one each in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Project revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a known carcinogen that is highly toxic and volatile when exposed to air. Much of the excess emissions come through leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means which can be hard to detect.

The Environmental Protection Company estimates 6.1 million individuals within the US reside within three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and people of colour represented at charges almost twice that of the final population.

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

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

The EPA requires amenities to take motion if they exceed a median 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 year, we actually have to see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Challenge, in a press conference. “It's essential 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 might cause a danger of up to one further cancer case for every a million exposed, according to the EPA. The upper the extent of benzene, the higher the well being danger.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas Metropolis had the best common web benzene levels in 2021, in keeping with the analysis of the self-reported knowledge. Roughly 37,000 individuals reside inside a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are individuals of colour and 47% are low-income.

“This evaluation gives important perception into why the Houston space is an industrial most cancers hotspot,” mentioned Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, at the press convention.

“Individuals residing near these amenities have higher [exposure] to lifetime most cancers risk than every other part of the state, but the regulatory agencies accountable for defending us continue to approve permits for these facilities,” Gutierrez mentioned.

Environmental Integrity Project notes that its evaluation didn't measure concentrations of benzene inside neighborhoods adjoining to refineries, and does not mirror the actual ranges of benzene throughout the communities.

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