Upset Emissions Not Included in Toxic Release Report
In Harris County, more than two-and-a-half million pounds of carcinogens are released into the air each year. That doesn’t even include toxic emissions released during upsets at refineries that go unreported.
In addition to the millions of pounds of cancer-causing toxins, the Toxic Release Inventory for Harris County found more than 6,600,000 pounds of cardiovascular or blood toxins; and more that 19-and-a-half million pounds of toxins that affect the respiratory system.
The list goes on and doesn’t include upsets that occur when a refinery starts up, shuts down or has releases during maintenance. Upset emissions have been unreported and unregulated and have not been included in the permitted emissions for the facility.
A study conducted in 2004 by Public Citizen found that one plant released 10 times more of one toxic chemical during a single upset than they were permitted to release during the entire year. Another plant emitted 37 times more toxic pollution during several upsets than permitted to release over the entire year.
In 2006, TCEQ enacted new rules requiring emissions that occur as a result of scheduled start-ups, shutdowns and maintenances to be included under permitted emissions. The new rules will be phased in over a seven year period. TCEQ reports that facilities are already reducing emissions in order to comply with the more comprehensive regulation of emissions.