Hurricanes can triple the amount of toxic contamination released into nearby communities

A new study in Environmental Science and Technology found that petrochemical manufacturers and refineries in Texas released higher amounts of toxic contamination during hurricanes.

In short:

Compared to periods of normal weather, Hurricane Rita (2005) resulted in twice as many contamination releases, while Hurricanes Ike (2008) and Harvey (2017) caused releases to triple.
Communities with a higher percentage of renters, higher poverty rates, and more Hispanic residents were more likely to experience an increase in contamination.
Petrochemical refineries were responsible for the highest amount of contamination released during hurricanes.

Key quote:

“Low-income communities and people of color are disproportionately impacted by hurricanes and floods, leading to concerns that climate change will further exacerbate existing environmental health disparities.”

Why this matters:

As climate change continues to alter global weather patterns, extreme weather events such as hurricanes are becoming more common and more severe. With hazardous petrochemical sites disproportionately located within low-income communities of color, this study highlights how extreme weather can have significant environmental justice implications, as well as the need for better protections for fenceline communities.

Related EHN coverage:

More resources: Environmental Health News reporter Cami Ferrell covers the petrochemical industry in Houston. See her most recent reporting, ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report (leer este reportaje en español) and WATCH: Enduring the “endless” expansion of the nation’s petrochemical corridor (en español).

Follow Cami’s reporting via Instagram @ehnewsroom and TikTok @CamiReports.

Berberian, Alique et al. for Environmental Science and Technology. July 30, 2024

pubs.acs.org

Hurricanes can triple the amount of toxic contamination released into nearby communities

Trump’s killing of climate grants has recipients second-guessing federal help

Young climate activists who won landmark trial are challenging Trump's energy orders

Ocean current fails for first time in decades, prompting concern

More deforestation leads to a drier dry season, Amazon study finds

Houses of worship could help fuel the energy transition. Solar evangelists are hard at work on that

California advances climate action with new legislation

The Siberian tundra is exploding. New research helps explain why.

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.