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Fires, explosions, and spills at petrochemical industry facilities create air pollution exposure risks for surrounding residences, which are disproportionately communities of color and low-income communities. This study analyzed local air pollution before, during, and after a 2019 industrial fire at the International Terminals Company's Deer Park facility in Houston, Texas. Meteorological conditions and pollution data from handheld, vehicular, and stationary monitors were analyzed. The fire produced elevated pollution levels in nearby residential areas. After the fire, benzene concentrations reached levels of concern for human health; particulate matter levels did not. Monitoring data gaps limited our ability to assess potential health effects of the fire; however, this does not suggest that industrial fires have minimal or no impacts on community exposure. In the absence of monitoring data, public health threats can be assessed by studying the scale of the incident, chemicals involved, meteorological conditions, and proximity to residential areas. The air pollution exposure and health effects of acute industrial emissions events can be significant but are not often captured by existing monitoring networks. Regulators and petrochemical companies can take steps to minimize the risk of industrial incidents and better monitor and convey risks to communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the appropriate use of science in policymaking depends upon integrity in scientific research and in the ways in research has communicated and applied for the policymaking process. Topics include conflicts of interest introduce the potential for bias and interference with research and regulation, not undermining agencies' abilities to develop the best science-based policies; and ambiguity regarding what constitutes a conflict of interest in science and policymaking.

ABSTRACTOn January 25, 2018, the United States Environmental Protection Agency withdrew a 1995 policy that mandates the use of maximum achievable control technology (MACT) to regulate emissions from major sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), a category of toxic chemicals that may be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or cause other adverse health effects. To better understand the implications and scope of the change in regulatory guidance for HAP emissions of major sources that may reclassify as area sources, the increase in emissions that could legally occur under the new policy is assessed here. Based on facility-level data from a 2014 HAP national emissions inventory, it is estimated that 70% of major sources of HAPs qualify for reclassification as area sources, which could result in a maximum of 35,030 tons per year (tpy) of additional HAP emissions if all sources successfully reclassified. This amount would nearly triple the total volume of HAPs that qualifying major sources emitted in 2014. On average, qualifying sources could emit individually an additional 18.4 tpy. In the 21 states and territories that follow only federal guidelines for controlling HAPs, it is more likely that the estimates presented here could materialize compared to states that have additional guidelines for area sources of HAPs. The quantitative analysis of the potential emission changes resulting from regulatory change is instructive for industry, state and federal decisionmakers, and interested members of the public looking to understand and anticipate how relevant stakeholders will be affected by this policy change.Implications: Withdrawal of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy that mandates the use of maximum achievable control technology (MACT) to regulate emissions from major sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) could result in higher emissions of toxic chemicals that may be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or cause other adverse health effects. Analysis of potential emission changes resulting from regulatory change is instructive for industry, state, and federal decisionmakers, and interested members of the public looking to understand and anticipate how relevant stakeholders will be affected by this policy change.

The article discusses the scientific community has taken seriously the process of science and the need for integrity in data collection and analysis. Topics include the advent of evidence-based policymaking, legally and culturally, has tremendous monetary and societal benefits; and a 2018 survey of government scientists 16 federal agencies conducted by Iowa State University.

Cuts to science advisory panels for federal agencies will haunt the United States long after the current administration finishes, says Gretchen T. Goldman. Cuts to science advisory panels for federal agencies will haunt the United States long after the current administration finishes, says Gretchen T. Goldman.