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 maximum level for benzene, 5 had been in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one each in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a brand new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Challenge revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a known carcinogen that's extremely toxic and risky when uncovered to air. A lot of the surplus emissions come by means of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means that are onerous to detect.

The Environmental Protection Company estimates 6.1 million folks in the US dwell within three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and other people of coloration represented at rates almost twice that of the overall inhabitants.

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

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

The EPA requires services to take action if they exceed a median 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “motion stage” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the motion level, year after yr, we really must see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Venture, in a press conference. “It's essential to begin paying penalties when your fence-line ranges persist,” he added.

Lifetime publicity to benzene at levels as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter could trigger a threat of as much as one further most cancers case for each a million uncovered, in accordance with the EPA. The higher the extent of benzene, the higher the well being danger.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas Metropolis had the highest average internet benzene levels in 2021, according to the analysis of the self-reported knowledge. Roughly 37,000 people reside within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Among them, 62% are individuals of color and 47% are low-income.

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

“Folks residing close to these amenities have better [exposure] to lifetime most cancers threat than another part of the state, yet the regulatory companies liable for protecting us continue to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez said.

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

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