The TCEQ Proposes Removal of Two Pollutants from the Texas City APWL
Area--Benzene and Hydrogen Sulfide
Benzene Monitoring Data Support APWL Delisting in Texas City
Monitoring shows that annual average benzene concentrations are
consistently below the TCEQ's screening level of 1.4 parts per billion (ppb). No
adverse health effects would be expected if annual average concentrations remain
below 1.4
ppb. Stationary monitoring data show that the annual average benzene
concentrations have remained below 1.4 ppb for two consecutive years.
snip...
The TCEQ will accept public comments on its proposed delistings. The
comment period begins on March 11, 2013, and will end on April 26, 2013. You may
email comments to the APWL coordinator APWL@tceq.texas.gov APWL@tceq.texas.gov;
or mail comments to:
Tara Capobianco Air Pollutant Watch List Coordinator Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality Air Permits Division MC-163 P.O. Box 13087 Austin, Texas
78711-3087
The TCEQ will hold a public meeting to answer questions and receive public
comments on its proposed delistings on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. at
the Wings of Heritage Room in the Nessler Center, located at 2010 5th Avenue
North, Texas City.
Where is the Area of Concern Located?
* South of TX Avenue/State Hwy 348
* East of Hwy 146
* West of Galveston Bay (West Bay)
Why is this Location and Pollutant(s) on the APWL?
Propionaldehyde
During the 2000 and 2001 mobile monitoring projects, concentrations of propionaldehyde were detected above the odor-based air monitoring comparison value (AMCV) downwind of Dow Chemical (formerly Union Carbide). Although no odorous levels were detected in the 2004 mobile monitoring project, odorous levels were detected during the 2008 mobile monitoring project.
Benzene
Elevated benzene levels have been detected during mobile monitoring projects from 2001 to 2008, downwind of various facilities throughout the Texas City area. Some of the concentrations detected during these projects have exceeded the short-term AMCV and several detections could contribute to elevated long-term concentrations. In addition, long-term stationary monitoring in the Texas City area has historically detected annual ambient concentrations of benzene above the long-term AMCV. The 11th Street monitor, funded by Marathon, has consistently had annual average benzene concentrations above the long-term AMCV since monitoring began in 2004. Data from the 34th Street monitor, funded by BP North America Products, Inc., indicated a 70% decrease in annual average benzene concentrations from 2005 to 2008; although emission events in 2009 lead to an elevated annual average.
Hydrogen Sulfide
A 2004 mobile monitoring trip reported hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels that exceeded the H2S 30-minute state regulatory standard. These reported levels had the potential to cause short-term odor-related health effects downwind of Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority (GCWDA) and Valero. A subsequent mobile monitoring project in 2008 did not detect any concentrations of H2S above the regulatory standard. Limited stationary monitoring data indicated a decreasing trend in H2S from 2004 until 2008. In 2009, however, there were 16 exceedances at the Texas City Ball Park monitor.
Annual evaluations may be accessed here:
see map here ;
BP et al, and the likes there from, will just love this $$$
18 September 2012
In 2010, BP-one of the largest energy companies in the world-is alleged to
have released MILLIONS of pounds of benzene into the air over a 40-day period
through an improperly-working flare at one of its Texas refineries.
snip...
Dangers of Benzene Exposure
Benzene is a carcinogenic chemical that is present in crude oil and
gasoline. It is a common chemical used in various industries, however, exposure
can have devastating health consequences for those who have been exposed.
It is known to cause multiple types of debilitating diseases, including
leukemia, plastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, multiple myeloma and
non-Hodgkins' lymphoma.
Occupational Studies in Women
1) Benzene – Breast cancer risk was higher in several large-scale studies
of women working in jobs exposed to high levels of benzene (as an organic
solvent) (Hansen, 1999; Petralia et al., 1998
Benzene – Breast cancer risk was higher in several large-scale studies of
women working in jobs exposed to high levels of benzene (as an organic solvent)
(Hansen, 1999; Petralia et al., 1998). More studies are needed on whether
benzene inhalation in other professions affects the risk of breast cancer.
Laboratory Animal Studies The National Toxicology Program has found the
following chemicals capable of inducing mammary tumors in long-term cancer
studies conducted in rats and mice (NTP, 2007). All of these chemicals can be
generated in various fire scenarios.
Benzene
1,3-Butadiene
Isoprene
Methylene chloride
1,2,3-Trichloropropane
2,4-Toluenediamine
2,4-Toluene diisocyanate
2,6-Toluene diisocyanate
Translating the Evidence about Breast Cancer Related Disparities in
African American Women: A Comprehensive Community-based Program in Galveston
County
Introduction: From 2003-2007, Galveston County ranked 22nd among Texas’s
254 counties in cancer mortality with 220 cancer deaths/100,000 (SEER database).
The rate exceeds that of Texas (177/100,000) and the U.S. (160/100,000) and
fails to meet the Healthy People 2010 Objective of 160/100,000. African American
Texans annual cancer mortality is 223/100,000 compared to Non-Hispanic Whites
(179/100.00) and Hispanics (130/100,000). African American breast cancer
mortality in Galveston County is 34.8/100,000 compared to 26.3 and 21.2 for
Non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics. The Texas Cancer Plan reports that poverty
drives disparities through lack of resources, information and knowledge;
substandard living; risk promoting lifestyles; and diminished access to
services. The evidence based indicates that contributors to disparities include
behavioral factors (increased time to complete diagnostic workups from abnormal
mammograms, more missed mammogram appointments, and unhealthy diets);
environmental factors (lower socioeconomic status, higher levels of inadequate
communication of abnormal mammography screening results), and genetic factors
(more aggressive tumors).
2011 Texas Selected Cancer Facts Galveston County
TSS
UPDATE...
Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 10:58 AM
Subject: TCEQ Proposes Removal of Two Pollutants from the Texas
City APWL Area--Benzene and Hydrogen Sulfide
Greetings TCEQ, Tara Capobianco, et
al,
The TCEQ will
accept public comments on its proposed delistings. The comment period begins on
March 11, 2013, and will end on April 26, 2013. You may email comments to the
APWL
coordinator APWL@tceq.texas.gov;
or mail comments
to:
Tara
Capobianco
Air Pollutant Watch List Coordinator
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Air Permits Division
MC-163
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, Texas 78711-3087
comments are as follows ;
I kindly would like to make the following comments please on the proposal
by TCEQ to further enhance cancer risk in the state of Texas.
I believe that if the state of Texas and the TCEQ gets this proposal
through, it will go to prove that neither one care about public health, and it’s
all about the almighty dollar.
since the BP deliberate upset of benzene and who knows what else for over
40 days (because after the initial upset that first day, the rest of the 39+
were deliberate), since then my wife has developed breast cancer. how many more
in this area?
IF this proposal to remove Benzene, Hydrogen Sulfide, or any other
pollutant into the air in the Galveston Bay area’s of Texas City, Bayport, and
or any of the Houston ship channel areas, would be detrimental to this area.
there is too much pollution already.
This proposals reeks of industry greed and if the oversight there from i.e.
the TCEQ does not stop this from happening, then they too should hang up their
jock straps as being any type of Environmental steward, and start paying their
dues directly to the chemical industry they are so in bed with.
I sincerely hope and pray that the TCEQ and this proposal is stopped dead
in it’s tracks, before too many more humans are. ...
Terry S. Singeltary Sr.
P.O. Box 42
Bacliff, Texas 77518
snip...
Monday, March 25, 2013
TCEQ Proposes Removal of Two Pollutants from the Texas City APWL
Area--Benzene and Hydrogen Sulfide
