Oil Refineries: Understanding Their Pollution Impact

Oil refineries are a major source of pollution, causing significant harm to the environment and human health. They emit toxic air pollutants, including cancer-causing agents, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, oil refineries are responsible for water pollution, often discharging wastewater loaded with harmful substances such as nitrogen, cyanide, and oil. These pollutants have severe ecological consequences, impairing aquatic life and recreational activities. Studies indicate heightened health risks for individuals residing near refineries, including increased rates of asthma, cancer, and cardiovascular issues. The impact of refinery pollution exacerbates existing racial and socioeconomic health disparities, particularly in vulnerable communities. To address this issue, stricter regulation and enforcement of pollution limits are necessary, along with the implementation of effective pollution control systems.

Characteristics of Pollution Caused by Oil Refineries

Air pollution: Oil refineries emit toxic air pollutants, including benzene, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter

Oil refineries are a major source of air pollution, emitting a range of toxic pollutants that pose significant risks to human health and the environment. One of the key pollutants emitted by oil refineries is benzene, a highly toxic and carcinogenic compound. Benzene leaks from refinery equipment, spills from refueling lines and trucks, and evaporates from storage tanks, gasoline, and refinery wastewater. It is notorious for its presence in the air near refineries and has been linked to increased rates of leukemia and other blood disorders in workers and nearby residents. Benzene also causes neurological, reproductive, developmental, and immunological damage.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are another significant air pollutant emitted by oil refineries. These compounds contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. In addition, the warmer temperatures resulting from global warming lead to increased ground-level ozone levels due to the presence of NOx and VOCs in the atmosphere. Nitrogen oxides also have local health impacts, contributing to respiratory issues and other health problems in people living near refineries.

Particulate matter, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is another toxic air pollutant released by oil refineries. These tiny particles can be inhaled and cause irritation and damage to the eyes, throat, and lungs. They are also linked to asthma and other respiratory issues, particularly in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions. Particulate pollution can also exacerbate existing respiratory conditions and contribute to cardiovascular problems.

In addition to these pollutants, oil refineries emit other hazardous air pollutants, including toluene, xylene, hexane, and toxic compounds such as hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids. Heavy metals such as mercury, nickel, and cadmium, as well as organic compounds like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, are also released during the refining process. These pollutants have a range of harmful effects on human health and the environment, including cancer, pulmonary and heart disease, neurological damage, and immunological issues.

The impact of oil refinery pollution is particularly acute for communities living nearby. Studies have shown that people residing within 10 miles of a refinery are at a higher risk of developing various health issues, including asthma, cancers, neurological damage, cardiovascular damage, and blood disorders. Additionally, refinery pollution contributes to existing racial and socio-economic health disparities, with higher asthma prevalence among Black and Native American people in certain areas. Marginalized and low-income communities are often disproportionately affected by refinery emissions, as seen in the case of the PES refinery in Philadelphia, which exposed over 117,000 people to toxic pollutants.

Water pollution: Refineries discharge wastewater containing cyanide, arsenic, selenium, and other harmful substances into waterways

Oil refineries are a major source of water pollution, with their wastewater discharges contributing significantly to the degradation of water quality. This is a global issue, with refineries worldwide continuing to release contaminated wastewater into various water bodies. A national study in the US highlighted the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) failure to regulate the enormous volume of wastewater discharged by refineries. The EPA's inaction has allowed refineries to release wastewater containing harmful substances, including cyanide, arsenic, selenium, and other toxic pollutants, into waterways.

The impact of refinery wastewater on waterways is severe. In the US, refineries release approximately half a billion gallons of wastewater daily, loaded with pollutants such as nitrogen, industrial salts, cyanide, arsenic, chromium, and selenium. These substances have detrimental effects on aquatic life and ecosystems. For instance, selenium can cause mutations in fish, and high levels of nitrogen can lead to excessive algae growth, disrupting the natural balance of water bodies.

The EPA's lack of stringent regulations and outdated standards has been criticised by environmental advocates. Despite the Clean Water Act's requirements, the EPA has neglected to set limits on many refinery discharges, including pollutants like selenium, benzene, cyanide, and mercury. This regulatory failure has allowed refineries to escape public scrutiny and continue releasing contaminants into rivers, lakes, and estuaries.

The consequences of refinery wastewater pollution are not limited to environmental damage but also extend to public health risks. Studies have shown that people living near oil refineries are at a higher risk of developing health issues, including asthma, cancers, neurological and cardiovascular damage, and blood disorders. Additionally, the pollution exacerbates existing racial and socio-economic health disparities, with higher asthma rates among Black and Native American communities.

To address this pressing issue, stricter policy regulations and enforcement are necessary. Implementing the principles of a Circular Economy, conducting transparent environmental monitoring, and ensuring proper wastewater treatment before discharge can help achieve sustainable water use in the oil refinery industry. By holding refineries accountable for their water pollution and updating treatment methods, we can protect both public health and the environment from the harmful effects of refinery wastewater discharges.

Health impacts: People living near refineries face higher risks of asthma, cancer, and other health issues due to exposure to pollutants

Oil refineries emit several pollutants, including toxic air pollutants, that have adverse effects on the health of people living nearby. A study of a community in Italy showed that people living near oil refineries have higher rates of cancer and die of cancer more frequently than those living farther away. Similarly, a study in Jordan found that residents of Al-Hashimeya, a town mainly affected by refinery emissions, suffered from poorer health than residents of Bal'ma. Specifically, Al-Hashimeya residents were more likely to experience skin problems and asthma.

In Washington, refineries have been found to exceed air pollution regulations, contributing to the higher prevalence of asthma among Black and Native American people in the region. A study in Texas also observed a statistically significantly increased risk of cancer among people living near oil refineries, with those residing within 0-10 miles having a greater risk of advanced disease compared to those living 21-30 miles away.

The toxic chemicals released by oil refineries can cause a range of health issues, including irritation of the eyes, throat, and lungs, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and neurological and cardiovascular damage. Regular contact with oil and gas has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer, particularly blood cancer (leukemia) in children living near refineries. Drilling for oil, refining it, and burning it as fuel can also lead to reproductive health problems such as irregular bleeding cycles, miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects.

The impact of refinery pollution on health contributes to existing racial and socioeconomic disparities. For example, in Washington, refineries have been found to violate regulations, exacerbating health inequalities in the region. The negative health consequences of living near oil refineries have been recognised, with companies like US Oil spending money on facility upgrades to control asphalt vapors and Tesoro settling Clean Air Act pollution violations for millions of dollars.

Environmental injustice: Refinery pollution disproportionately affects low-income and marginalized communities, exacerbating health disparities

Oil refineries emit a range of toxic pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene. These emissions have severe health consequences for nearby communities, who are disproportionately likely to be low-income and marginalized.

In the United States, African Americans and low-income communities are disproportionately affected by air pollution. Over one million African Americans live within a half-mile of natural gas facilities, and more than 6.7 million live in counties with oil refineries. African Americans are also 75% more likely than White people to live in "fence-line" communities, which are areas directly affected by noise, emissions, and other impacts of commercial facilities. This disparity can be traced back to discriminatory policies and inequalities in housing, education, employment, and healthcare.

Low-income individuals and families are more likely to live near polluting facilities due to a lack of emissions regulations and enforcement, the placement of pollution sources near low-income neighborhoods, and the political power of large emitters. The health consequences of overexposure to air pollution include physical and mental health issues, impaired cognitive function, and an increased risk of asthma, cancer, neurological and cardiovascular damage, and blood disorders.

In North Richmond, California, residents share a zip code with the Chevron refinery and other polluting businesses. The median income in North Richmond is significantly lower than that of Richmond and Contra Costa County. Residents of North Richmond have reported chronic coughs, leaves on trees being burned, and the air being so foul that they have to run inside. Researchers have attributed the health issues of residents to decades of toxic emissions from industries and diesel particles from nearby truck routes and rail lines.

The environmental justice movement aims to address these inequalities by pursuing policies and development that create a sustainable, cooperative, and equitable future for all. Community organizing and participation in the political process are crucial to amplifying the voices of those significantly impacted by pollution and environmental injustice.

Regulatory failures: The EPA has been criticized for failing to regulate and enforce limits on water pollution from refineries

Oil refineries are major sources of toxic air and water pollution. They are responsible for emitting cancer-causing benzene, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide, among other harmful substances. Refinery pollutants are heavily concentrated near frontline communities, including tribal reservations, and have severe health consequences for residents living nearby.

Regulatory failures by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have exacerbated the issue of water pollution from refineries. The EPA has faced criticism and legal action for its failure to regulate and enforce limits on water pollution from refineries, as mandated by the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act requires the EPA to set limits on industrial pollutants and update them at least every five years to reflect improvements in wastewater treatment methods. However, the EPA has neglected to set any limits for refinery discharges of pollutants such as selenium, benzene, cyanide, mercury, and others. The few limits that were established decades ago have not been updated since 1985. This lapse in regulatory action has allowed refineries to legally discharge vast amounts of pollutants into waterways, endangering both public health and the environment.

Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project, has emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that "oil refineries are major sources of water pollution that have largely escaped public notice and accountability in the U.S." He attributes this to "lax federal standards based on wastewater treatment methods that are nearly forty years old." The Environmental Integrity Project's report, "Oil's Unchecked Outfalls," revealed that 81 refineries across the United States discharged 15.7 million pounds of nitrogen and 1.6 billion pounds of chlorides into waterways in 2021. The report also found that almost 83% of U.S. refineries reported violating their permitted limits on water pollutants at least once between 2019 and 2021.

The EPA's failure to act has been criticized by environmental groups and legal experts. Jen Duggan, deputy director of the Environmental Integrity Project, stated, "It's completely unacceptable that EPA has, for decades, ignored the law and failed to require modern wastewater pollution controls for oil refineries." Similarly, Hannah Connor, environmental health deputy director at the Center for Biological Diversity, highlighted the moral and legal implications of the EPA's inaction, stating, "Forcing people and wildlife like endangered Atlantic sturgeon to bear the weight of toxic water pollution while industries rake in record profits isn’t just morally wrong, it’s also legally indefensible."

The EPA's regulatory failures have contributed to the public health and environmental risks associated with water pollution from oil refineries. As a result, there is increasing pressure on the EPA to address these issues and enforce stricter standards to protect communities and ecosystems from the harmful effects of refinery pollution.

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