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

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

Among the many 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 brand new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Mission revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a recognized carcinogen that is extremely toxic and volatile when uncovered to air. Much of the excess emissions come by means of leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means that are laborious to detect.

The Environmental Safety Company estimates 6.1 million individuals within the US live inside three miles of a refinery, with low-income folks and people of shade represented at rates almost twice that of the final inhabitants.

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

Nearly 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 action in the event that they exceed a mean 9 micrograms per cubic meter, or above “motion stage” emission of benzene.

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the action stage, 12 months after 12 months, we actually need to see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Undertaking, in a press conference. “You must start paying penalties when your fence-line ranges persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at ranges as low as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter might cause a risk of up to one further cancer case for each one million uncovered, according to the EPA. The upper the extent of benzene, the higher the well being danger.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City had the highest common web benzene levels in 2021, in response to the analysis of the self-reported knowledge. Roughly 37,000 people dwell inside a three-mile radius of the refinery. Among them, 62% are individuals of coloration and 47% are low-income.

“This analysis supplies necessary insight into why the Houston area is an industrial most cancers hotspot,” said Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, at the press conference.

“Individuals living near these amenities have greater [exposure] to lifetime most cancers danger than any other part of the state, but the regulatory agencies liable for defending us proceed to approve permits for these facilities,” Gutierrez stated.

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

Marathon Petroleum and the EPA did not instantly respond to a request for comment.