New EPA refinery rules require continuous fence line monitoring for benzene, beginning February 2018. Unfortunately the new regulations do not require public access to the real time benzene level data, and there are no requirements to timely inform the community of high benzene levels.
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Air-monitors-detect-cancer-causing-compound-as-12175440.php
Refineries will report 12-month data sets of the 2-week averages of the real time data, with adjustments for local conditions, and calculate a 12 month average. When the annual average benzene concentration level is 9 ug/m3 or higher, the facility is required to conduct root cause analysis and corrective action. [ Rolling average of the 26 - 2 week readings.]
https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/files/ambient/airtox/2015workshop/Petroleum%20Refinery.pdf
Refineries will be allowed 45 days after the 12-month period to prepare and submit the reports. Then, local DEQ's and the EPA will have a 30 day review period before the data is available to the public via an EPA website. While monitoring begins early 2018, the first data sets are not expected until Spring of 2019.
In the meantime, residents can take their own samples with the help of environmental groups like the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Global Community Monitor, and Public Lab.
http://www.pbs.org/pov/fenceline/the-bucket-brigade/
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