A new bill in the Texas Legislature would require chemical facilities to install advanced equipment and undergo frequent monitoring to reduce benzene emissions in Channelview, a community long exposed to the cancer-causing pollutant.
Savanna Strott reports for Public Health Watch.
In short:
- State Sen. Carol Alvarado’s bill mandates state-of-the-art pollution controls, quarterly audits real-time public data on emissions from chemical facilities.
- The bill follows years of reports showing high benzene levels in Channelview, with regulators failing to capture accurate emissions data.
- Industry groups express concerns over monitoring requirements, while lawmakers and environmental advocates push for stronger pollution oversight.
Key quote:
“For too long, we have been without practical safeguards to protect public health and hold emitters accountable for violations.”
— Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado
Why this matters:
Benzene, a highly toxic chemical linked to cancer, has long been a concern in industrial communities like Channelview, Texas. The unincorporated area east of Houston sits in the heart of the petrochemical corridor, where refineries and chemical plants release pollutants into the air and water. Residents have voiced concerns for decades about the health effects of exposure, citing elevated rates of cancer and respiratory issues. Despite evidence of high benzene levels, regulatory action has been slow, often hindered by industry influence and gaps in enforcement.
Related:
- Levels of cancer-causing benzene reached new heights in beleaguered Channelview, Texas. Regulators never told residents
- Lives “devastated’ by petrochemical industry pollution in Texas: Report
- ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report
