Cancer-Causing Pollution from Oil Refineries is Falling Due to Regulation

For years, oil refineries in the United States have been significant sources of benzene emissions, a toxic chemical linked to leukemia and other blood cancers. However, a notable decline in these harmful emissions has been observed recently. This reduction is attributed to rigorous federal regulations and diligent oversight, highlighting a rare success in environmental protection.

Source: Vox/YouTube

In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a critical rule requiring continuous monitoring of benzene emissions at refinery fence lines. If emissions exceed the EPA’s action level of 9 micrograms per cubic meter on an annual average, refineries must identify and rectify the leaks. This rule has proven effective in safeguarding hundreds of communities near refineries, though some Gulf Coast areas remain problematic, as reported by the Environmental Integrity Project.

According to the Environmental Integrity Project’s analysis of EPA data, only six out of 115 refineries surpassed the EPA’s benzene action level in the past year. This is a significant improvement from previous years, with 12 refineries exceeding the limit in 2020, 11 in 2021, and nine in 2022.

Eric Schaeffer, the Environmental Integrity Project’s executive director, noted the progress, emphasizing the severe health risks posed by benzene. Short-term exposure can lead to headaches and dizziness, while long-term exposure increases the risk of cancer, particularly leukemia.

Federal oversight has been crucial in this progress. David Uhlmann, head of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, hailed the mandatory fence-line monitoring as transformative. This transparency has pressured facilities to comply with emission standards, significantly reducing benzene levels.

Despite these improvements, challenges persist, especially in Texas. Four of the six refineries exceeding the EPA’s limit are located along the Gulf Coast. For instance, the TotalEnergies’ Port Arthur Refinery and the Pemex Deer Park Refinery have consistently reported high benzene levels, with the latter nearly doubling the EPA’s limit last year.

Anthony D’Souza from Air Alliance Houston emphasized the ongoing burden on residents near these refineries. The proximity of these polluters to residential areas, schools, and parks poses a chronic health risk.

Nevertheless, the overall trend is promising. The EPA’s 2015 regulations have not only curbed benzene emissions from refineries but have also extended to chemical plants, further protecting public health from toxic pollutants. The recent legal actions against companies like TPC Group underscore the commitment to enforcing these regulations and ensuring safer communities.

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