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Toxic emissions raise public health concerns
by Kevin Street
However, the plan will not focus on chemicals released by these refineries, which is a major
concern for local residents.
Toxic benzene released by two Texas City refineries, which the Texas National Resource Conservation
Commission reported in October, only fuels public concern.
"That's pretty scary," said Michelle Forkner, an undergraduate psychology major. "The air quality
around Houston is already bad enough, and now we have to worry about toxic levels of chemicals being
released by these refineries."
Benzene, released by Marathon Oil and BP Chemical, is a recognized carcinogen that is suspected to
cause damage to almost every major system in the body. Depending on the level of exposure, these
chemicals can damage the cardiovascular, immune, reproductive and respiratory systems.
"In order for humans to be harmed, they have to get enough exposure to change some kind of
biological process in the body," said Dr. Jim Lester, director of the Environmental Institute of
Houston. "Refineries can release a lot of chemicals into the air and never harm humans as long as
their concentration level is low."
According to the EPA, Harris County ranked as one of the dirtiest counties in the United States
in terms of hazardous air pollutants.
With more than 65 plants and refineries located in and around the Bay Area, safety as well as the
area's pollution ranking is of growing concern.
The air quality in Houston could cause a slight elevation in health risks. There is some
preliminary evidence that suggests these risks.
"It appears in the Houston area we have an elevated frequency of childhood asthma, and the most
likely cause of that would be the air pollution in the area," Lester said. "So there are some
indicators that suggest a relationship between some respiratory ailments and the quality of air in
Houston."
Although the industry is responsible for a large portion of the air pollution, there are also many
non-industrial sources that contribute to the poor air quality.
The new plan will target these areas by reducing speed limits, using more effective exhaust
testing and cleaner diesel fuel.
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In light of deteriorating air quality in the Houston-Galveston area, the Environmental Protection
Agency recently approved a Clean Air Plan, which will require industrial plants to reduce emissions
by 90 percent.