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

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

Among the 12 refineries that emitted above the maximum stage for benzene, 5 were in Texas, four 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 identified carcinogen that is extremely toxic and unstable when uncovered to air. A lot of the excess emissions come by leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and different means that are onerous to detect.

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

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

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

The EPA requires services to take action in the event that they exceed an average 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “action degree” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the motion degree, 12 months after 12 months, we actually have to see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the chief director of the Environmental Integrity Challenge, in a press conference. “It's essential start paying penalties when your fence-line levels persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at levels as little as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter might cause a danger of as much as one additional most cancers case for every a million uncovered, in keeping with the EPA. The higher the level of benzene, the higher the well being threat.

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

“This analysis offers vital insight into why the Houston space is an industrial cancer hotspot,” mentioned Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, at the press conference.

“People dwelling near these services have larger [exposure] to lifetime cancer danger than any other a part of the state, but the regulatory businesses answerable for protecting us proceed to approve permits for these amenities,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Challenge notes that its analysis didn't measure concentrations of benzene inside neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and doesn't mirror the precise levels of benzene inside the communities.

Marathon Petroleum and the EPA didn't immediately respond to a request for remark.