US oil refineries spewing cancer-causing benzene into communities, report finds | 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 had been in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one every in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a brand new evaluation by the Environmental Integrity Mission revealed on Thursday.

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

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 6.1 million people within the US live inside three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and people of color represented at charges practically twice that of the general population.

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

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

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

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the motion level, yr after yr, we actually have to see enforcement from the EPA,” mentioned Eric Schaeffer, the manager director of the Environmental Integrity Mission, in a press conference. “You should start paying penalties when your fence-line ranges persist,” he added.

Lifetime publicity to benzene at ranges as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter may trigger a risk of as much as one extra cancer case for each one million exposed, in keeping with the EPA. The higher the extent of benzene, the higher the health danger.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas Metropolis had the best common net benzene ranges in 2021, in line with the evaluation of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 folks dwell inside a three-mile radius of the refinery. Amongst them, 62% are individuals of color and 47% are low-income.

“This evaluation offers vital insight into why the Houston space is an industrial most cancers hotspot,” mentioned Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press conference.

“Individuals dwelling close to these amenities have larger [exposure] to lifetime cancer risk than some other a part of the state, yet the regulatory businesses chargeable for defending us proceed to approve permits for these facilities,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Mission notes that its analysis did not measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and does not reflect the precise levels of benzene inside the communities.

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