Oil refineries pump millions of tons of CO2 into our atmosphere each year. And despite the clean energy alternatives that have emerged today, many of the world’s largest companies remain fossil fuel-dependent. By continuing to demand these nonrenewable energy sources, companies are not just perpetuating global climate change – they also may be contributing to large-scale, often unavoidable health risks. The following post from our friends at the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center, sheds light on why motivating companies to take climate change seriously is good, not only for the planet, but for your well-being.

By Samantha Catalano

The debate over consumer dependence on oil and alternative energy usage continues to rage on, and as conscious consumers, we absolutely need to be informed. We know that a reliance on foreign oil presents a plethora of political issues, but what about the consequences of operating oil refineries here in the U.S.? When you stop and consider the environmental and health effects of oil refineries, the push towards using alternative sources of energy becomes even more urgent.

There are roughly 150 operational oil refineries in 32 U.S. states. The release of hazardous gases into the air we breathe may seem like an obvious environmental effect of oil refineries, but there is also a hidden danger in the form of asbestos that is most likely found in every single U.S. oil refinery – and the hazardous effects of this naturally occurring toxin are devastating. Asbestos exposure is the only confirmed cause of malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly type of cancer.

The last U.S. refinery was constructed in 1976, about four years before the federal government instituted asbestos-usage laws. It is safe to assume that the vast majority of U.S. refineries harbor dangerously high levels of asbestos in the form of piping insulation and floor and ceiling tiles. Asbestos-containing products were a perfect choice for refineries, as asbestos is an excellent insulator and can withstand high temperatures and the refinery process involves extreme heat. What engineers and construction professionals may not have known at the time is that asbestos is incredibly hazardous if it is damaged. If damage occurs, whether it is a result of aging and corrosion or a fiery explosion, the tiny asbestos fibers within any asbestos-containing material may be released into the air, putting oil refinery workers at risk of inhalation. If inhaled, asbestos fibers can cling to the mesothelium, or lining of the internal organs, for decades before an individual may begin to experience common mesothelioma symptoms, including breathing difficulties and chest pain. Mesothelioma does not have a cure, but there are various mesothelioma treatment options available.

Oil refinery workers are at a heightened risk of developing mesothelioma (also referred to asbestos cancer) as a result of occupational asbestos exposure, but they aren’t the only ones. Residents who live near to an oil refinery are also at risk, as asbestos fibers can travel via wind currents and expose innocent individuals, including children. The latent period associated with mesothelioma cancer is between 20 and 50 years, so workers, nearby residents and children may not be diagnosed for decades after their initial exposure. And it’s not only asbestos exposure that oil refinery workers and those living nearby have to worry about – oil refineries release an unbelievable amount of gaseous waste, including methane, sulfuric acid and mercury into our air and water, all of which have been known to cause cancer and other health issues.

As consumers, we are in control of the products that we buy and the fuel and energy sources that we rely on. In an effort to sustain our environment and our personal health, now is the time to consider alternative sources of energy, such as a wind and solar power. By eliminating a need for oil, we can eliminate a need for asbestos-contaminated refineries, and we will ultimately be making gigantic strides towards a cleaner earth and healthier people.

For additional information related to oil refinery asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer, please visit www.maacenter.org.