SOUTH PORTLAND—Residents have long questioned the air quality in one of Maine’s prime locations, known for its diverse community and proximity to beaches and downtown Portland. With 120 large petroleum storage tanks scattered along the shore, concerns about air safety have been persistent. The question of whether the air is safe to breathe now has some answers, following a year of emissions monitoring.
Monitoring results revealed benzene levels—a recognized carcinogen—exceeding state limits at two tank farm locations. Ted Reiner, whose home is near three such farms, expressed concern over the potential health impacts, especially after his bladder cancer surgery. “You just don’t know what the cumulative effect is,” he said.
Reiner lives near the Citgo South Portland Terminal on Turner Island, where tanks mostly hold gasoline. More than 12,600 residents live within a mile of the tanks, according to EPA data. State data shows the Citgo site is one of two where benzene emissions surpass limits, averaging 2.18 micrograms per cubic meter, above the 1.28 micrograms allowed.
The highest benzene levels at 3.05 micrograms were found at the South Portland Terminal LLC owned by Buckeye Partners. In contrast, emissions at a Sunoco-owned site were under state guidelines. Long-term benzene exposure is linked to blood disorders and increased leukemia risk, with the World Health Organization stating no safe exposure level exists.
The state’s numbers are averages from two-week samples. Citgo’s annual figure, derived from these samples, can obscure spikes, such as a period where levels reached 11.8 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly ten times the state limit.
Short-term benzene exposure, even over 1-14 days, can cause health issues for vulnerable groups. While the risk level for short-term exposure is 30 micrograms per cubic meter, it’s unclear if recent data reaches this threshold.
Rich Johnson, Citgo’s spokesperson, stated the company is collaborating with state regulators and emphasized the importance of accurate air quality assessment. Buckeye Partners has not commented on the findings.
Petroleum operators use technology to reduce emissions, yet leaks from tank vents and equipment remain common. Anna O’Sullivan, living nearby, fears for her son’s health when he plays outside. “Is he just, like, absorbing what’s in the air?” she questions.
She hesitates to consume produce from her yard, worrying about exposure risks, but feels stuck after purchasing her home for $190,000 in 2017. “I need to move. I can’t raise my kids in an area where it’s just, like, poisonous air,” she said.
Drew Michanowicz from Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers for Healthy Energy, emphasized the need for attention to the data. Most residents live far enough from the tanks to experience diluted emissions, but some, notably near Citgo, are in close proximity.
Consent decrees with Global Partners LLC and Sprague Energy in 2019 addressed emissions from certain tank types, leading to emission capture systems that have reduced levels below state thresholds in recent testing. These agreements heightened lawmakers’ awareness, leading to a 2021 law requiring fenceline monitoring at petroleum tank farms, beginning in August 2024.
South Portland residents actively challenge industrial emissions, evident in a successful 2018 campaign against Canadian tar sands oil. Tom Mikulka, a retired chemist, analyzed state data for public understanding. “I wouldn’t want to go to sleep knowing there’s high benzene levels that close to my home,” he stated.
Jacky Gerry, formerly residing near Citgo, shares this sentiment. “Now that we have these answers, who’s stepping up to the plate to say, ‘Let’s try to fix that?’” she asked, questioning the responsibility among the city and oil companies.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org