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

A dozen US oil refineries final yr exceeded the federal restrict on common benzene emissions.

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

Benzene is a identified carcinogen that is extremely toxic and volatile when exposed to air. Much of the excess emissions come by way of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means which can be hard to detect.

The Environmental Safety Company estimates 6.1 million people within the US stay inside three miles of a refinery, with low-income folks and other people of shade represented at rates almost twice that of the overall inhabitants.

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

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

The EPA requires amenities 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 beneath the action stage, year after 12 months, we actually have to see enforcement from the EPA,” mentioned Eric Schaeffer, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Undertaking, in a press convention. “It is advisable start paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime publicity to benzene at levels as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter might trigger a threat of up to one further most cancers case for every one million uncovered, in line with the EPA. The higher the level of benzene, the higher the health threat.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas Metropolis had the best common internet benzene ranges in 2021, according to the analysis of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 folks dwell within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are individuals of shade and 47% are low-income.

“This evaluation gives vital insight into why the Houston area is an industrial cancer hotspot,” stated Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press conference.

“Folks dwelling close to these facilities have better [exposure] to lifetime most cancers risk than every other a part of the state, but the regulatory businesses answerable for defending us proceed to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez mentioned.

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

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