Bronte Wells
Oil refineries are essential for producing the raw materials needed for everyday objects and business processes. However, the refining processes are one of the most significant contributors to air pollution, both near the facility and further afield. The oil industry is one of the most regulated sectors worldwide, and its atmospheric emissions are controlled by the environmental laws of many countries. Despite this, refineries are among the most toxic industries, generating a wide range of toxic chemicals that have well-documented adverse effects on human health, including increased risks of asthma, cancer, birth defects, and cardiovascular damage. In addition to air pollution, refineries also contribute to water and soil contamination, discharging large volumes of wastewater containing toxic substances such as heavy metals. To minimise the environmental and health impacts, it is crucial to implement innovative processes, adopt advanced measurement technologies for monitoring, and explore alternatives such as transitioning towards biofuels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Health Effects | Increased risk of asthma, cancers, birth defects, neurological damage, cardiovascular damage, difficulty breathing, and blood disorders |
| Affected Communities | Minority communities, including African Americans and Latinos |
| Environmental Impact | Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution; contribution to global warming |
| Toxic Chemicals | Benzene, hydrofluoric acid, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals |
| Regulatory Status | The oil industry is one of the most regulated; subject to environmental laws and regulations |
| Pollution Monitoring | Advanced technologies like Kunak AIR Pro and Lite stations for real-time measurements and leak detection |
| Pollution Reduction Alternatives | Transition to biofuels, managed removal of fossil fuel-consuming refineries |
| Global Refinery Capacity | Nearly 102 million barrels per day in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
- Air pollution: gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter
- Water pollution: wastewater discharge, heavy metals, and oil spills
- Soil pollution: toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and oil spills
- Health effects: asthma, cancer, birth defects, and cardiovascular issues
- Environmental protocols: monitoring, regulations, and emission reduction
Air pollution: gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter
Oil refineries are essential for producing the raw materials needed for a wide range of products. However, the refining processes are one of the most significant contributors to air pollution. The oil industry is one of the most regulated sectors worldwide, and its atmospheric emissions are controlled by the environmental laws of many countries. Despite this, refineries generate a wide range of toxic chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment.
Refineries discharge almost half a billion gallons of wastewater daily, contaminating rivers, streams, and estuaries. Toxic substances released into water and soil include heavy metals such as selenium, which causes mutations in animals and accumulates in the food chain. High selenium intake can lead to neurological, respiratory, heart, and kidney problems.
Air pollution from refineries includes gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter. Gases released include sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO). Nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a widespread outdoor air pollutant. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter are also associated with toxic air emissions.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from thousands of everyday products and industrial processes. They are found in paints, varnishes, cleaning products, building materials, personal care products, and outdoor sources that can enter homes. VOCs are also emitted by dry cleaners, auto-body shops, painting facilities, and gas engines. Exposure to VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing, and damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Some VOCs, such as benzene, are carcinogenic.
To minimise the environmental and health impacts of refinery pollution, innovative processes and alternative energy sources are being explored. Transitioning to biofuels, for example, using fuels derived from used cooking oil, fats, greases, and soybean oils, is one potential solution. However, burning fuel, regardless of its source, can still harm community health and the environment.
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Water pollution: wastewater discharge, heavy metals, and oil spills
Oil refineries are a major source of water pollution, discharging contaminated wastewater into water bodies worldwide. This wastewater contains a range of pollutants, including heavy metals and oil, which can have significant negative impacts on the environment and human health.
Refineries release billions of pounds of pollution into waterways each year, and this pollution is often concentrated near communities of colour and lower-income areas. Regulatory data and reports have revealed that many refineries exceed permitted pollution levels, yet enforcement of the Clean Water Act and penalties for violations remain inadequate.
Wastewater discharge from refineries can contaminate water sources used for fishing, recreation, and even regular food sources. The presence of heavy metals and other pollutants in the water raises concerns about the safety of aquatic species for human consumption. Signs warning residents about the unsafe water are common near petrochemical facilities, but it remains challenging to determine which areas are safe.
Oil spills and leaks further contribute to water pollution in areas surrounding refineries. For example, in Port Arthur, Texas, a city with multiple major refineries, the pollution is visibly noticeable, with an oil sheen on the water and an unpleasant odour. This pollution not only affects the environment but also the livelihoods and health of those who rely on fishing in these contaminated waters.
To address water pollution from refineries, sustainable water use policies, fair environmental impact assessments, and transparent environmental monitoring are essential. Implementing the Circular Economy and ensuring adequate treatment of wastewater can help mitigate the negative impacts on water resources. Additionally, refineries should adopt innovative processes to minimise the environmental impact of producing refined petroleum products, as they are a significant contributor to air pollution as well.
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Soil pollution: toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and oil spills
Oil refineries are essential for producing the raw materials needed to manufacture a wide range of everyday products, from plastics to detergents and medicines. However, the refining processes contribute significantly to air pollution, and can also cause soil pollution through toxic chemical releases, heavy metal pollution, and oil spills.
Toxic Chemicals
Refineries generate a wide range of toxic chemicals that are harmful to both the environment and human health. These chemicals are released into the air and can also contaminate soil and groundwater. Refined petroleum products contain complex components with a wide range of physicochemical properties, including paraffin, cycloparaffins, and aromatics, which can make pollution in refinery areas more complex and toxic.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metal pollution in soils is a global issue that threatens agriculture and human health. Oil refineries contribute to this problem, as evidenced by studies that have found heavy metal pollution in refinery soils. For example, Dasgupta et al. observed negative effects of heavy metals pollution on bacterial community diversity in refinery areas. Heavy metals can contaminate soils and groundwater, and their presence in the environment can have detrimental effects on ecosystems and human well-being.
Oil Spills
Oil spills and leakages in refinery areas have been a significant environmental concern for decades. Petroleum pollution from these incidents can cause extensive contamination of soil and groundwater. Refined petroleum products have more complex components than natural crude oil, which can lead to even more challenging pollution conditions. The impact of oil spills on soil ecosystems is complex and can alter microbial diversity and network complexity. For instance, Amini et al. isolated 18 phenanthrene- and pyrene-degrading bacteria from refinery soils, indicating the presence of oil pollutants and their potential impact on the soil microbial community.
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Health effects: asthma, cancer, birth defects, and cardiovascular issues
Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour, in quantities that can be harmful to human health. Petroleum refining and petrochemical complexes are significant sources of air pollution, emitting a variety of harmful pollutants that pose substantial health risks to nearby populations.
Asthma
Air pollution is a major trigger for asthma, with particle pollution from refineries causing or exacerbating the condition. People with asthma are at an increased risk of particle pollution-related health effects compared to healthy individuals due to airway hyper-reactivity and bronchoconstriction, which affect particle deposition in the airways. Air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, hospitalisations, and emergency room visits. Studies have shown that as air pollution levels decrease, hospital admissions for asthma also decrease. Children living near busy roads or in communities with higher pollution levels are more susceptible to developing asthma, and children in general are more vulnerable to the health impacts of air pollution.
Cancer
Air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and leukemia. Fine particulate matter from air pollution can impair blood vessel function and speed up the calcification of arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Benzene, a Group 1 carcinogen, is a dangerous VOC emitted from refineries and has been strongly linked to leukemia and other blood disorders.
Birth Defects
Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight, pre-term birth, stillbirth, small for gestational age births, and cerebral palsy. Exposure to both ozone and particle pollution during pregnancy can increase the risk of these negative outcomes, and pregnant women with asthma or who are in higher-risk health categories are more susceptible to health harm from air pollution.
Cardiovascular Issues
Air pollution exposure has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, abnormal heartbeats, and strokes. Fine particulate matter can impair blood vessel function and speed up the calcification of arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events. Additionally, ozone exposure has been linked to the development of cardiovascular problems, and higher daily ozone concentrations are associated with increased hospital admissions for cardiovascular conditions.
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Environmental protocols: monitoring, regulations, and emission reduction
Environmental protocols are crucial in the oil and petroleum refining industries to control air pollution and protect the environment and human health. Here is an overview of monitoring practices, regulations, and emission reduction strategies:
Monitoring
Emissions monitoring is critical to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and protect the environment and public health. Continuous, real-time monitoring of gas fields and oil refinery pollution is essential due to the complex nature of refining processes and the variety of pollutants emitted. Monitoring systems can measure specific gases, including sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM). Fenceline monitoring, for example, ensures that pollutants do not escape into surrounding communities by continuously recording hydrocarbon levels along refinery perimeters.
Regulations
The oil industry is one of the most regulated sectors worldwide, with strict environmental laws controlling atmospheric emissions. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in regulating refinery emissions. The Refinery Sector Rule (RSR), finalized by the EPA in 2015, introduced stricter controls on hazardous air emissions from petroleum refineries, aiming to eliminate smoking flare emissions and upset emission events. The EPA also maintains National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and New Source Performance Standards for the petroleum refinery sector.
Emission Reduction
To reduce emissions and comply with regulations, refineries employ various technologies and processes. For instance, Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs) and Tail Gas Treatment Units (TGTUs) recover sulfur from refining processes, reducing SO₂ emissions. Thermal oxidizers destroy Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) by incinerating waste gases at high temperatures, resulting in cleaner emissions. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems are also used to reduce NOx emissions by converting them into nitrogen and water using catalysts and ammonia. Additionally, refineries can adopt Best Available Techniques (BAT) when applying for Integrated Environmental Authorisation (IEA), which considers aspects such as fuel type and the use of more efficient technologies.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to give an exact number as it differs from refinery to refinery, and there are many types of pollutants. However, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, refineries are among the most toxic industries in the US, ranking 10th on a toxicity list with over 200 grades. Refineries are responsible for air, water and soil pollution.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pollutants include benzene, hydrofluoric acid, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and many other toxic pollutants.
Living near a refinery can have adverse effects on health, including an increased risk of asthma, cancers, birth defects, neurological damage, cardiovascular damage, difficulty breathing, and blood disorders. Minority groups are disproportionately affected by the toxic harm of refineries and are often pushed to the frontlines due to poor city planning and wealth gaps.
