MISSION: ZERO ACCIDENTS

WHY COOPERATION TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS AT LOUISIANA REFINERIES IS NEEDED NOW

ccording to Louisiana refineries own reports to the state, these facilities averaged six accidents per week in 2012. Louisiana refineries (which includes 17 refineries and 2 associated chemical plants) reported a total of 327 accidents (unauthorized chemical releases) in 2012. Zero Accidents is a call to eliminate accidents at Louisiana refineries. Since the first edition of this annual refinery accident report was released in 2009, the managers of Louisianas 17 refineries have been asked to work collaboratively to solve the accident problem. Only Marathon Oil has responded. Just this year that refinery acknowledged flawed calculations in its accident reports and has made an attempt to improve them. However, ExxonMobil, Shell, CITGO, ConocoPhilips, Valero and the rest of the refineries as well as the trade associations have steadfastly refused to even acknowledge that there is a problem.

The focus for cooperation is now on insiders people who work for the oil industry or government agencies. After a year in which refinery accidents released over 2,347,688 pounds of air pollution and 12,745,442 gallons of water pollution, cooperation to solve refinery accidents is needed more than ever. If you work for the oil industry, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), the Department of Health and Hospitals, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or some other agency, the people of Louisiana desperately need you to speak up about the problems that you see.

What is a Whistleblower?
A whistleblower is a person who sheds light on illegal or dishonest actions including lack of action by a company or institution. You may be a current or past employee or a retiree. Whistleblowers have several options to report based on the context and issue.

Whistleblowers have options: & &File anonymous reports to LABBs public map: iwitnesspollution.org & &Speak anonymously to the press. & &Speak to an inspector generals office, if applicable (see back page). & &Speak publicly. If you take this step, you should seek legal counsel in advance.

In 2011, the Inspector General of the EPA found that the poor enforcement of environmental laws in Louisiana is due to a variety of factors, including a culture in which the state agency is expected to protect industry.1

The key findings and recommendations in this report are based on refinery reports about their accidents to the LDEQ. The Louisiana Bucket Brigade reviews all of the reports and uploads them to Louisiana Bucket Brigades Refinery Accident Database using an EPA approved methodology. Visit www.louisianarefineryaccidentdatabase.org to learn about refinery accidents around our state.

Key Findings

Recommendations

Accidents are not reported. There is growing evidence that unreported or underreported accidents impact surrounding communities and workers. Accidents are getting worse. Refineries released 2,347,688 pounds of pollution via accidents in 2012. The total amount of air pollution from accidents has increased by 15% from 2011 to 2012. Whats more, the accidents are more serious: air pollution per accident has increased by 20% from 2011 to 2012. Refineries are not prepared for rain and wind. Weather was cited by refineries as a cause of 45% of their air releases and 99% of their water releases in 2012. Hurricane Isaac was a relatively small storm a Category 1 hurricane when it made landfall on August 28, 2012, yet refineries were unprepared. Refineries reported significant quantities of hydrogen cyanide emissions that were previously unreported. This is because EPA required refineries to actually measure (rather than estimate) this chemical coming out of their stacks in 2011 and 2012.

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Report what you see, smell, hear and feel to the iWitness Pollution Map. You can report anonymously by submitting a report at iwitnesspollution.org Refineries need to upgrade their equipment and hire more workers to prevent accidents. In addition, investing in worker health and safety programs will greatly reduce accidents.

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Implement a controlled shut-down in advance of the storm. Increase wastewater treatment capacity. Store and treat stormwater; do not dump it or let it run off into Louisiana waterways. Improve backup power systems.

Stack testing (actually measuring, not estimating, what is coming from refinery stacks) should be mandatory at all refineries. Results from this testing should be available online in real time and should be conducted by the LDEQ or EPA, not the refineries.

The rate of air pollution per accident increased by 20% from 2011 to 2012.

Although the total number of refinery accidents has decreased from 346 in 2011 to 327 in 2012, the total amount of air pollution has increased by 15% from 1.9 million pounds in 2011 to 2.3 million pounds in 2012. The rate of air pollution per accident has increased from 5,737 pounds per accident in 2011 to 7,179 lbs per accident in 2012.

Accidents from 2012

The Motiva Refinery/Shell Chemical complex in Norco, LA had the top five polluting accidents in 2012. What follows is a review of some of the worst accidents of 2012.

Motiva and Shell Chemical, Norco

Motiva/Shell: August 28, 2012

Air pollution: 239,879 pounds, including nearly 60 tons of carbon monoxide and one ton of benzene, a known human carcinogen. Cause: Failure to shut down in advance of Hurricane Isaac, resulting in an emergency shut down during the storm.

A worker on staff at the time of the hurricane, who asked for anonymity due to fear of retaliation, said it is routine for Motiva to stay open during hurricanes. However, when the power went out in the area the worker said an order was given for an emergency shut down and employees had to work outside during the hurricane to complete the shut down. Guys were out shutting down the units in 45-mile-per-hour winds after we lost power, the worker said. A 45-mile-per-hour wind may not seem like a whole lot until a two by four or other debris comes flying at your head. The worker had harsh words for management who put employees in danger. Its very uncomfortable to be in the position where you are being put in harms way by somebody who is not out in the units. You know you cant rely on the electrical grid here, the worker said. Its the almighty dollarthey want to make that buck. Risk management they call it we take the risk and they manage it.2

Photo report to the iWitness Pollution Map, May 8, 2012, Norco, LA.

Motiva/Shell: December 6, 2012

Air pollution: 180,069 pounds, including more than 44 tons of carbon monoxide, 20 tons of volatile organic compounds, 14 tons of particulate matter, 8 tons of nitrogen oxide, more than one ton of 1, 3-butadiene, and 585 pounds of benzene. Cause: Power failure due to trip of the Entergy breaker supplying the flare. The Louisiana Bucket Brigade Emergency Response Team surveyed residents following the accident. Thirty five percent of the 103 residents surveyed reported health impacts during the accident such as respiratory problems, headaches, skin rashes, and burning eyes. On Sunday Dec. 2 we attended the Norco Christmas parade and noticed the flare at Motiva. There was a lot of noise and a cloud of smoke that looked like a rain cloud. Since then the flare has gotten bigger and louder. The flare has been going since then non stop. Report to iWitness Pollution Map, December 7, 2012, Norco, LA .
Photos taken at the Norco Christmas Parade on December 2, 2012 with Motiva flares in the background.

Marathon: August 28, 2012

Water Pollution: 12,600,010 gallons.

Marathon Ashland Petroleum, Garyville

The Marathon Refinery dumped 12.6 million gallons of untreated stormwater from their process areas into Lake Maurepas after Hurricane Isaac, stating to LDEQ that they had reached the on-site storage capacity.

ExxonMobil Refinery and Chemical Pl ant: June 14th, 2012

Air pollution: 31,022 pounds of benzene and 31,171 pounds of cyclohexane, ethylbenzene and other volatile organic compounds. Cause: Leaking bleeder valve on Tank 801. ExxonMobil illustrates how refinery management can fail to accurately report its accidents, making worker and resident reports essential to understanding the truth. At 5 am on June 14, 2012, Exxon reported a release of 10 pounds of benzene to the National Response Center. Between June 14th and June 15th, people near the refinery made 18 reports to the iWitness Pollution Map detailing strong odors of burnt tar. At Chippewa and Sorrell: really strong smell of sulfur and VOCs [volatile organic compounds]. Caused headache and throat irritation. Report to iWitness Pollution Map, June 14th, 2012, Baton Rouge, LA. Two days later on June 16th, 2012, after reassurances from the LDEQ that the spill was contained, workers inside the plant reported ongoing problems. Workers report that approximately 700 barrels of naphtha have been released into the sewer system of the plant. The entire sewer line has vents that are allowing benzene vapors from the naphtha to enter into the air...400 workers are currently being monitored for benzene exposure. Symptoms reported include severe headaches.3 In an August 14, 2012 report, Exxon increased the amount of benzene from 10 pounds to over 31,000 pounds. In a rare enforcement move, the LDEQ fined Exxon for improper notification. State officials say they might have done more to test the air quality in the neighborhood or evacuate the neighborhood if they had known more about the magnitude of the release. Exxon would have gotten away with its initial report of below reportable quantities had the neighbors and workers not reported the facts. This single accident released 105 times more benzene than the Exxon Baton Rouge complex reports in a single year. Exxon reported a total of 294 pounds of benzene via accidents in 2011. ExxonMobils Baton Rouge complex increased air emissions from accidents by 60% from 2011 to 2012. Exxon claimed 77% of its accidents were below reportable quantities and gave no further information on the cause or the exact quantity of pollution.

ExxonMobil Complex, Baton Rouge

Flare at Marathon Refinery, Garyville Louisiana March 5th, 2012

iWitness Pollution

Calumet only reported 17 accidents in 2012 resulting in 5,055 gallons and 15,821 pounds of pollution to the land, water and air. Twelve percent of Calumets accidents in 2012 were reported to the state because Velma White, President of Residents for Air Neutralization in Shreveport, and her team called to complain.

Calumet Lubricants 8, Shreveport

Calumet: Christmas Day 2012

Air Pollution: 80 pounds of sulfur dioxide. Ms. White made the following reports to the iWitness Pollution Map and the LDEQ. I want to report high flaring and black smoke at the Calumet refinery in Shreveport, LA. Ronesha Johnson recalls, I remember on Christmas day there was a foul odor. We basically couldnt enjoy our Christmas. And the kids Velma White, standing on Corbitt Street in front Flare #2 at Calumet Lubricants, Shreveport, LA couldnt play outside like they wanted on their new toys, and just bad odors where you had a headache and sneezing, nose stopped up from the smells.

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Following Ms. Whites complaint, the LDEQ investigated and Calumet admitted in state records that the refinery exceeded its permits for sulfur dioxide because of a thunderstorm.

Valero: April 13, 2012

Valero Refining, Meraux

Air Pollution: 4,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide. Neighbors of Valero Refining in Meraux made the following reports to the iWitness Pollution Map and LDEQ: Valero refinery in St. Bernard Parish, the night of April 12th into April 13th flaring with large orange flame and very loud refinery high pitch tone inside houses and at times during night noise like jet engines keeping people awake and causing sleep deprivation. Friday Morning April 13 2012 a sour odor in neighborhood from Valero.

Over 6,000 people live within two miles of the Valero Refinery, in Meraux, LA

LDEQ investigated on April 14, 2012 and found no odor, large flame flaring or loud noises. On April 17, 2012, Valero reported to LDEQ that there was an emergency shutdown due to power failure on April 10, 2012 resulting in 94.5 hours of flaring of sulfur dioxide through April 14, 2012.

Refinery accidents in Louisiana often go unreported unless refinery neighbors and workers report what they see, smell, hear and feel to the state and to the iWitness Pollution Map website. Submit a report to the website: iwitnesspollution.org Text or Call: 504-272-7645

Hydrogen Cyanide

Chemicals of Concern

In 2011, the EPA issued an industry wide information collection request to all facilities Prevents Oxygen Transport to Brain within the United States petroleum refining and Heart industry.5 As a result of this required testing, six refineries in Louisiana (Chalmette Refining, ExxonMobil Baton Rouge, CITGO Lake Charles, Valero Norco, Marathon Garyville and Phillips 66 Belle Chasse) provided reports in 2012 reporting millions of pounds of ongoing emissions of hydrogen cyanide in 2011 and 2012. Historically hydrogen cyanide (HCN) was used by the Nazis in concentration camp gas chambers. It is used today in some state death row gas chambers and is classified as a chemical warfare agent.6 7 Hydrogen cyanide can cause central nervous system toxicity, hypothyroidism, headaches, weakness, and changes in taste and smell senses.8

Central Nervous System Toxicant, Headaches, Weakness

Changes in Taste and Smell Linked to Hypothyroidism Suocation

Health Eects of Hydrogen Cyanide

Benzene

Neurological Eects, Headaches, Dizziness, Unconsciousness, Confusion Increased Heart Rate

Louisiana refineries released 37,270 pounds of benzene in 2012, a 56% increase from the 20,863 pounds released in 2011. This increase is mostly due to ExxonMobil Baton Rouges single spill of Bone Marrow 411 barrells of naphtha, a crude oil containing Damage, Leukemia, Immune 50% benzene.
System Damage Carcinogen

Reproductive Organ Damage

Health Eects of Benzene

Benzene is a chemical that is known to cause cancer in humans.9 Breathing high levels of benzene and chronic exposure to benzene vapors can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. Long-term repeated exposures can lead to the development of bone marrow cancer (leukemia).10 Genetic changes in cells and toxicity to stem cells were observed in workers who had long-term repeated exposure to low levels of benzene.11 In pregnant women who are exposed, benzene can pass from the mothers blood to the fetus.

Call Attention to Problems

Women and men who work for refineries or government agencies report that they may encounter directives or subtle instructions such as: 99 Disposing of waste or pollute in ways that violate the law 99 Covering up such pollution 99 Skimping on worker safety in order to save money 99 Not enforcing the law or look the other way despite information to the contrary 99 Prioritizing work that will not detect problems 99 Minimizing illnesses that are presented 99 Finding such illnesses are statistically insignificant Management may also misdirect resources, including money and staff time.

Note on Inadequate Reporting:

Refineries have increased the number of accidents reported as below reportable quantity. When accidents are reported below reportable quantity, the facility is not required to provide any details about the accident such as pollutant released, quantity emitted and the root cause. Accidents with low emsissions can have big impacts on fenceline communities. According to Louisiana refineries own reports from 2012, of the 327 accident reports 66% were classified as below reportable quanitity or no information given; only 33% were reportable.
1. Schleifstein, M. (December 12, 2011 at 8:40 PM). Louisiana flunks at enforcing air, water laws, EPA inspector general says. In The Times-Picayune. Retrieved October 1, 2013, from http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/12/ louisiana_flunks_at_enforcing.html. 2. Barnett, K. (June 22, 2013 at 10:17 am). Motiva released carcinogens during hurricane, report says. In St. Charles Herald Guide. Retrieved October 1, 2013, from http://www.heraldguide.com/details.php?id=12708. 3. Email Communication from LABB to LDEQ Assistant Secretary, Office of Environmental Compliance (June 21, 2012). Exxon lies to officials about size of benzene spill community and workers sick from vapors. Labucketbrigade.wordpress.com. Retrieved June 21, 2012 from http://labucketbrigade.wordpress. com/2012/06/21/exxon-lies/. 4. Shogren, E, & Benincasa, R. (May 30, 2013 at 4:29 PM). Baton Rouges Corroded, Overpolluting Neighbor: Exxon Mobil. In National Public Radio. Retrieved October 1, 2013, from http://www.npr.org/2013/05/30/187044721/baton-rouge-scorroded. 5. Environmental Protection Agency. (October 16, 2012). Comprehensive Data Collected from the Petroleum Refining Sector. EPA.gov. Retrieved October 1, 2013 from http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/petref/petrefpg.html. 6. Stewart, C. (2010). Cyanide as a Chemical Weapon: A Review. In Fire Smoke Coalition. Retrieved July 17, 2013, from http://www.firesmoke.org/wp-content/ uploads/2010/10/Cyanide_As_A_Weapon.pdf. 7. Death Penalty Information Center (2013). Methods of Execution. Deathpentaltyinfo.org. Retrieved October 1, 2013 from http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/ methods-execution#az. 8. International Cyanide Management Code. (2013). Environmental and Health Effects. Cyanidecode.org. Retrieved October 1, 2013, from http://www.cyanidecode.org/cyanide-facts/environmental-health-effects. 9. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). (2013). Agent Classification List. Iarc.fr. Retrieved October 1, 2013 from http://monographs.iarc.fr/ ENG/Classification/ClassificationsAlphaOrder.pdf. 10. ExxonMobil. (2013). ExxonMobil MSDS Database. ExxonMobil.com. Retrieved October 1, 2013 from http://www.msds.exxonmobil.com/psims/ psims.aspx?brand=xomcc.

S ources

How can I report the problems I see on the job?

If you are an LDEQ employee, contact the EPA Inspector General. The Inspector General can look into the EPA employees who should be overseeing operations at LDEQ. Call: 1-888-546-8740 Report on line: epa.gov/oig/hotline.html#File_Now

Produced by: Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Standard Heights Community Association, Residents for Air Neutralization, United Steelworkers, and Occupational Health and Safety Section of the American Public Health Association.

Acknowledgments

If you want to report criminal activity, please contact Written by: Andy Zellinger, Anna Hrybyk, and Anne Rolfes. the EPA Criminal Investigation Division in Baton Rouge (225) 925-3083 Research by: Andy Zellinger, Molly Brackin, Marcia

Oursler, Rachael Tittle, Risha Bera, Jay Colingham, AdFor information on how to protect yourself and your die Williams, Melissa Robbins, Stephen Paternostro, Natalie Lirette, Hillary Hafner, and Samantha Howe. job, visit www.whistleblower.org. Edited by: Anne Rolfes, Kristen Evans, and Anna Hrybyk. Graphics by: Ashlee Clair, Yana Fleming and Priya Nekkalapu. Special thanks to Chris Campbell and the Environmental Working Group.

2013 Louisiana Bucket Brigade 4226 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70119 p. (504) 484-3433 f. (504) 324-0332 www.labucketbrigade.org