another year of hydrogen sulfide over exposures

Hydrogen Sulfide can cause genetic damage, plus serious and permanent central nervous system damage. [1].

St Bernard Parish residents have been frequently if not consistently exposed to more hydrogen sulfide than the daily exposure level recommended by the EPA. Hydrogen sulfide is a gas which causes deleterious effects at chronic low level exposures of 0.0014 ppm (1.4 ppb).  

The Valero Energy Meraux community monitor frequently measures hydrogen sulfide levels in our neighborhoods above 2, 3, and even 4 or 5 ppb!!   http://lena.providenceeng.com/Hourly.aspx  Valero records H2S readings in ppm; as an example, 0.003 ppm H2S is 3 ppb.  Chronic (or daily) exposure to H2S at levels of 0.0014 ppm or higher are unacceptable.  The Louisiana DEQ community monitors also frequently measure such levels of hydrogen sulfide, but records the H2S readings in ppb.
  http://airquality.deq.louisiana.gov/Data/Site/CHALMETTE%20VISTA/Date/2016-01-25
http://airquality.deq.louisiana.gov/Data/Site/MERAUX/Date/2016-01-25

Children are among the most susceptible to this poison gas. It is unacceptable for communities near oil refineries and many others to have to continue suffering the ill effects of H2S when the technology to control H2S emissions is available and affordable.

“The daily inhalation exposure to the human population that is likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime, the RfC, has been determined to be 0.002 mg/m3 or 1.4 ppb.”http://www.epa.gov/iris/toxreviews/0061tr.pdf

Health effects from chronic low level exposure include the burning and tearing of eyes, cough, shortness of breath, and for asthmatics, difficulty breathing.  The effects may be delayed for several hours, or sometimes several days, when exposed to low level concentrations. Chronic exposure causes eye inflammation, headache, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, digestive disturbances and weight loss. Researchers found the following demonstrable symptoms resulting from chronic exposure to H2S:  changes in brain density, abnormal neurobehavioral function, headache, altered mood states such as depression, fatigue, and tension, memory loss, pronounced deficits in balance and reaction time, dizziness, insomnia, overpowering fatigue, and reduced sense of smell.

  EPA should address adverse H2S impacts based on evidence of harmful exposures in numerous communities and its toxicological effects at low concentrations such as non-cancer effects and emerging evidence that H2S is a genotoxic agent, meaning it damages DNA

 [1]  http://org.salsalabs.com/o/1541/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2815

Link to monitors in St Bernard Parish

Ch Vista (Blue Bird Park) http://airquality.deq.louisiana.gov/Data/Site/CHALMETTE%20VISTA/Date/2013-12-20

Ventura Drive (Valero Energy) http://lena.providenceeng.com/Hourly.aspx

Meraux site (Joe Davies) http://airquality.deq.louisiana.gov/Data/Site/MERAUX/Date/2013-12-20

 

“Since the respiratory tract is the major target organ of hydrogen sulfide toxicity, humans with asthma, and the elderly and young children with compromised respiratory function represent sensitive subpopulations. Due to the serious toxic effects associated with exposure to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide for very short durations, all exposure should be avoided.”  http://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/cicad/en/cicad53.pdf 

 Health effects from chronic low-level exposure to hydrogen sulfide

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11339675

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sour gas effects on the eye

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16650463

fenceline monitoring

"If we’re going to give industry permits to release these emissions, then our goal is to have all of their emissions monitored. Whatever they’re permitted to release, we want it to be monitored, that’s our goal. I’m excited and optimistic about the new ruling. But this is not over by any means.” ------    Statement from Martha Huckabay, Vice President of St. Rose Community One Voice, regarding the EPA's new Refinery Rule http://www.labucketbrigade.org/blog/statement-martha-huckabay-vice-president-st-rose-community-one-voice-regarding-epa%E2%80%99s-new

EPA's new Refinery Rule requires "fenceline monitoring" for some but not all emissions.  Benzene, a known carcinogen, will be monitored "at the fenceline" but where is the fenceline?

Let's keep the refinery fenceline where it has been for decades ---  way on the other side of the makeshift parking lot, and not in our residential neighborhoods.  When benzene levels measure an "actionable" level then the plants will be required to invest in technology controls to reduce benzene emissions. Allowing the fenceline to move away from the fenceline and into our neighborhoods could allow the plants to record lower benzene levels than actually emitted.

We have enough issues with the makeshift parking lot and fenceline; let's not add more benzene when new refinery rules were require less

http://concernedcitizensaroundmurphy.blogspot.com/2013/07/good-fences-and-beautification.html

http://concernedcitizensaroundmurphy.blogspot.com/2010/04/jacob-canal.html

surface water and storage tank issues

Troubles in the tank farm were mentioned again in a recent report noting leaked oil from piping in the former footprint of storage tank, Tank 250-3. This oil spill affected at least two egrets, according to Valero Energy’s report to Louisiana DEQ in a public document (EDMS 9962291).

Tank 250-3 was demolished by Valero Energy in 2012. However on September 29 2015 a sheen, stained soil, and two oiled egrets were reportedly observed around the section of pipe once connected to the tank. Clearing nearby vegetation revealed an intermittent leak that exceeded “Reportable Quantity”.  It is unclear how long the pipe was leaking; however, residents have repeatedly reported to LDEQ strong and distinct fuel and diesel odors during rain events.

This is not the first time overgrown vegetation was noted as presumably concealing problems that perhaps should have otherwise been detected during required inspections.  In May 2015 adjacent neighbors reported the refinery flooding their backyards.  Upon inspection, after “clearing significant vegetation”, a breach was found on the east side of the refinery pond and the damage was attributed to burrowing nutria (EDMS 9778750).

Valero Energy’s Meraux refinery was recently cited by LDEQ for not performing required monthly tank inspections from April 2014 through June 2015 (EDMS 9963957).  A 2014 LDEQ inspection at the adjacent terminal and dock found Valero Energy failed for three years to conduct annual interior float roof inspections (EDMS 9845166).

During a rain event in June 2015, Valero reported discharging nearly 7,000 gallons waste water into the neighborhood canal due to a power outage (EDMS 9811488). This neighborhood canal, known as the 40 arpent canal, is frequently fished by residents, and is slated in the new master land use plan for recreational use, including kayaking and canoes, and fishing piers. Other unauthorized discharges and reports from more recent rain events in late Summer and early Fall 2015 --- if any --- along with water samplings have not yet posted to LDEQ EDMS.  Heavy rains are expected again this week.

Valero’s predecessor, Murphy Oil, agreed in August 2015 to a settlement with the State of Louisiana for just under $23,000 in fines for the December 9 2009 release of oily water into the same neighborhood canal, the 40 arpent. The 40 arpent is pumped into the adjacent Central Wetlands, which is home to sensitive estuaries and marsh. The $22,988 amount is said to represent the DEQ’s enforcement costs; nothing was proposed to improve neither the water quality nor the quality of life in the surrounding community.  Lessons learned or business as usual ??

Valero Energy’s report for the Sept 29 2015 spill zone states that six days after the initial discover, during the evening of October 4^th, a small cofferdam was completed around the leak, containing the release. A clamp was also installed, greatly reducing flow. A larger, engineered clamp was being fabricated with expected installation mid October.   It is unclear how long the pipe was leaking; however, residents have repeatedly reported to LDEQ strong and distinct fuel and diesel odors during rain events.

From the LDEQ EDMS document: The pipe in question was partially submerged by rainwater that had accumulated in the footprint of the former Tank 250-3.  Solid boom was deployed to prevent the oil from spreading. Fire fighting foam and hydrocarbon metabolizing enzymes were applied to stained areas to minimize volatilization and odor. Oil was removed from the water with skimmer and vacuum trucks.

The pond was pumped down and the water transferred to the Refinery’s wastewater treatment plant. A small cofferdam was constructed to isolate the leaking pipe from the larger pond.  Once the pipe was fully exposed a clamp was installed over the leak. This greatly reduced the rate of the leak. A larger, engineered clamp was being fabricated. Installation expected later that week (mid October 2015).

Oil staining was observed on two egrets that had landed in the affected spill zone. Bird deterrent flashing posts were installed to prevent further contact. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was contacted and two bird specialists were sent to the refinery. They recommended that one of the birds be captured and cleaned. As of October 6 2015 attempts to capture the bird have been unsuccessful.

There were no notifications made to the nearby neighborhood. Valero reported there were no offsite impacts. 

save our wetlands

The proof in dredging to save our wetlands.

Captain Devin 2013-05-02

http://www.lafishblog.com/the-proof-in-dredging-to-save-our-wetlands/

"In 1991 the Caernarvon Diversion was created in an effort to restore the marsh by building land, benefit the commercial fishing industry and somewhat emulate what the Mississippi used to do years ago. This is great except for one thing.

It didn’t work."

"Now our problem has been compounded in that the Army Corps of Engineers wants to build a larger diversion at Braithwaite, this one capable of putting out 250,000 cfs of water. That was not a typo! You read it right. That is a quarter million cubic feet of water per second flowing into our saltwater marsh. If Caernarvon did that much damage what would a diversion of that magnitude do at Braithwaite? Left in the hands of our government, it would destroy the marsh."

refinery rule for benzene monitors

Although this new refinery rule is good progress and a step in the right direction, we still have a long fight ahead of us. This rule will monitor for benzene, a known carcinogen.  Our problem in St. Rose has been release of the chemical hydrogen sulfide – a neurotoxin. If they’re not allowing hydrogen sulfide to be monitored, there’s obviously a bigger problem.   

Statement from Martha Huckabay, Vice President of St. Rose Community One Voice, regarding the EPA’s new Refinery Rule   http://www.labucketbrigade.org/blog/statement-martha-huckabay-vice-president-st-rose-community-one-voice-regarding-epa%E2%80%99s-new 

here today gone tomorrow

we re gonna need a tree museum

settlement for water violations

Murphy Oil agrees to a $22,988 settlement for the oil discharges into local waters.
Amount is said to represent the Department’s enforcement costs.
There is nothing proposed for the St Bernard community or the water quality.

The agreement includes settlement for the December 9, 2009 oil discharge into the local neighborhood canal, known as the 20 arpent canal, and other violations, such as failure to sample various outfalls at different times, spill into river, and failure to calibrate or perform maintenance procedures at other times.

Link to LDEQ settlement document 9880360 dated August 2015
http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=9880360&ob=yes&child=yes 

In more recent time, the new owner,Valero Energy, reported a discharge of 6,900 gallons of “treated” waste water on June 8, 2015 "due to a power outage".

LDEQ EDMS document 9811488

http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=9811488&ob=yes&child=yes

The more things change the more they remain the same.