EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Updated environmental reports reveal that more pollution was released during the El Paso refinery incident than previously thought– over 10 tons more.
On Tuesday, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) released updated reports detailing the pollutants released during an incident at the Marathon refinery in El Paso, which show that approximately 15.4 tons of toxic pollution were released, over 10 tons more than what was originally reported at the beginning of August.
Below is a breakdown of each report showing what was first reported and the new updated information.
First Report
The previous report listed that on Aug. 4, during a period of 24 hours, 862 pounds of sulfur dioxide were released.
The new update lists that the incident lasted more than one day– 68 hours and eight minutes to be precise– noting that it started on Aug. 4 at 7:47 p.m. and continued until 3:55 p.m. Aug. 7.
According to the updated report, more than just 800 pounds of sulfur dioxide were released as the update lists 18 other air contaminants.
The update also distinguishes that the release came from two different sources or units: an FCC Wet Gas Scrubber and the South Main Flare.
The tables below show which contaminants, the amount, as well as the emission limit of each.
FCC Wet Gas Scrubber
Table identifying air contaminants released from FCC/WGS at the El Paso Marathon Refinery. Credit: TCEQ
South Main Flare
Table identifying air contaminants released from the South Main Flare at the El Paso Marathon Refinery. Credit: TCEQ
A total of 7,768.35 pounds, or 3.8 tons, of pollutants were released during this incident.
Full updated report attached below:
Incident 463229PDF previewPreview PDF
View PDFSecond Report
The previous report listed that on Aug. 4, from 7:10 p.m. to 9:23 p.m., the refinery released 19 pounds of 1,3-butadiene and 8,897.9 pounds of propylene– or 4.4 tons– in 2 hours and 13 minutes.
The new update, however, lists that the incident lasted 7 hours and 30 minutes and details that 14.2 pounds of 1,3-butadiene and 10,066.2 pounds of propylene, or about 5 tons.
According to the updated report, more than those two contaminants were identified, as the report now lists 13 contaminants total being released from one tank.
The tables below show which contaminants, the amount, as well as the emission limit of each.
Tank 4118
Table identifying air contaminants released from Tank 4118 at the El Paso Marathon Refinery. Credit: TCEQ
A total of 23,332.6 pounds, or 11.6 tons, of pollutants were released during this incident.
Full updated report attached below:
Incident 463231PDF previewPreview PDF
RELATED: Escobar demands investigation after El Paso refinery emits nearly five tons of toxins
Both reports list the cause of the incident, pointing to an electrical issue that caused a piece of equipment called the “Fluid Catalytic Cracker” (FCC) to trip and shut down.
Both reports also list actions that were taken to try to minimize the incident and decrease emissions, and state that Marathon’s Air Monitoring Team took ambient readings, concluding that air quality levels were below the established community exposure guidelines from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
KFOX14/CBS4 has reached out to learn more about the reports, including how the pounds-per-hour emission limits on the pollutants are set as the limit amount changes, as it does, for example, for Carbon Monoxide, which is listed as 58.88 at the FCC Wet Gas Scrubber and 0.24 at the South Main Flare.
RELATED: El Paso leaders demand Marathon refinery answers after residents report noxious fumes
This all comes as the list of local leaders demanding action and accountability continues to grow.
On Tuesday, El Paso City Council approved a request asking TCEQ and the EPA to demand that Marathon meet with them within 30 days to provide more information regarding the incident, as well as tell the public what is being done to better communicate between the refinery, local officials, and the neighborhoods when these incidents happen.
On August 12, El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar sent a letter to the EPA asking to see if Marathon violated federal requirements, including the Clean Air Act.
RELATED: Environmental report: refinery releases tons of toxic gases into El Paso after incident
KFOX14/CBS4 spoke with people who live near the refinery in South Central El Paso in the days after the incidents.
People explained the awful smells were so overwhelming, describing that they suffered headaches, throat pain, and nausea.
One resident even said that they had to leave their home for the night, taking their dogs with them.
Rosario Quintanilla, who also lives on E. Yandell Drive near the oil plant, has lived in Central El Paso since 1970 and said the smell was so strong she felt like she couldn’t breathe.
The Marathon refinery is located at 6501 Trowbridge Drive.
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