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

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

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the utmost level for benzene, 5 had 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 Mission revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a recognized carcinogen that's extremely toxic and volatile when exposed to air. A lot of the excess emissions come by way of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means which are onerous to detect.

The Environmental Safety Agency estimates 6.1 million people in the US dwell inside three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and folks of shade represented at rates 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, in any other case known as the fence-line.

Almost half of those refineries released benzene ranges above 3 micrograms per cubic meter, which the Environmental Integrity Challenge defines as a long-term potential well being menace.

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

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene under the action degree, 12 months after 12 months, we really need to see enforcement from the EPA,” mentioned Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Undertaking, in a press convention. “You could begin paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at ranges as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter may cause a risk of up to one extra most cancers case for every one million uncovered, in response to the EPA. The upper the level of benzene, the upper the health threat.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas Metropolis had the very best common net benzene levels in 2021, based on the evaluation of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 people dwell within a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are people of shade and 47% are low-income.

“This analysis provides essential insight into why the Houston space is an industrial most cancers hotspot,” mentioned Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press convention.

“Folks residing close to these services have better [exposure] to lifetime cancer danger than another a part of the state, yet the regulatory companies answerable for defending us proceed to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez mentioned.

Environmental Integrity Venture notes that its analysis didn't measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and does not reflect the precise ranges of benzene throughout the communities.

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