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

A dozen US oil refineries final 12 months exceeded the federal limit on common benzene emissions.

Among the many 12 refineries that emitted above the utmost level for benzene, five have been in Texas, 4 in Louisiana, and one each in Pennsylvania, Indiana and the US Virgin Islands, a new evaluation by the Environmental Integrity Project revealed on Thursday.

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

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

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

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

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 under the motion stage, year after year, we really need to see enforcement from the EPA,” said Eric Schaeffer, the chief director of the Environmental Integrity Challenge, in a press convention. “You need to begin paying penalties when your fence-line ranges persist,” he added.

Lifetime exposure to benzene at levels as little as 0.13 microgram per cubic meter could cause a risk of up to one additional cancer case for every a million exposed, in line with the EPA. The upper the level of benzene, the upper the health danger.

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

“This evaluation supplies essential insight into why the Houston area is an industrial cancer hotspot,” stated Leticia Gutierrez of advocacy group Air Alliance Houston, on the press convention.

“Folks dwelling near these amenities have better [exposure] to lifetime cancer risk than some other part of the state, but the regulatory companies liable for defending us proceed to approve permits for these services,” Gutierrez said.

Environmental Integrity Project notes that its analysis didn't measure concentrations of benzene within neighborhoods adjoining to refineries, and does not replicate the precise ranges of benzene within the communities.

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