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

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

Among the 12 refineries that emitted above the maximum stage for benzene, 5 had been in Texas, 4 in Louisiana, and one every in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Mission revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a known carcinogen that is extremely poisonous and risky when uncovered to air. Much of the excess emissions come through leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means that are laborious to detect.

The Environmental Safety Company estimates 6.1 million folks in the US stay within three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and people of colour represented at rates practically twice that of the general inhabitants.

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

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

The EPA requires facilities to take motion in the event that they exceed a mean 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “motion degree” emission of benzene.

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

Lifetime exposure to benzene at ranges as little as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter might trigger a threat of up to one extra cancer case for every a million uncovered, in keeping with the EPA. The upper the level of benzene, the upper the well being danger.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the best average net benzene ranges in 2021, in line with the analysis of the self-reported data. Roughly 37,000 people reside inside a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are individuals of shade and 47% are low-income.

“This analysis offers essential insight into why the Houston area is an industrial cancer hotspot,” said Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, at the press convention.

“People living close to these services have higher [exposure] to lifetime most cancers risk than another part of the state, but the regulatory companies answerable for defending us continue to approve permits for these facilities,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Project notes that its evaluation didn't measure concentrations of benzene inside neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and does not reflect the precise levels of benzene inside the communities.

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