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

A dozen US oil refineries final 12 months exceeded the federal restrict on average benzene emissions.

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the utmost stage for benzene, five have been in Texas, four in Louisiana, and one each in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a brand new analysis by the Environmental Integrity Venture revealed on Thursday.

Benzene is a identified carcinogen that is extremely toxic and risky when exposed to air. Much of the excess emissions come via leaks from valves, tanks, pumps and other means which are laborious to detect.

The Environmental Safety Company estimates 6.1 million folks in the US dwell within three miles of a refinery, with low-income individuals and people of shade represented at charges almost twice that of the general population.

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

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

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

“If [facilities] can’t get their benzene below the action level, yr after yr, we really need to see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the executive director of the Environmental Integrity Undertaking, in a press conference. “It's good 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 cause a risk of as much as one extra most cancers case for each one million uncovered, in response to the EPA. The higher the level of benzene, the upper the well being threat.

Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas Metropolis had the very best average net benzene ranges in 2021, based on the evaluation of the self-reported information. Roughly 37,000 individuals reside inside a three-mile radius of the refinery. Among them, 62% are individuals of color and 47% are low-income.

“This analysis offers necessary perception into why the Houston space is an industrial cancer hotspot,” said Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press convention.

“People dwelling close to these services have greater [exposure] to lifetime cancer threat than some other part of the state, yet the regulatory businesses responsible for defending us continue to approve permits for these services,” Gutierrez mentioned.

Environmental Integrity Project notes that its evaluation did not measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjacent to refineries, and doesn't mirror the actual ranges of benzene within the communities.

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