Exhibit 18 (cont.): 1993 Transfers for Petroleum Refining Facilities in TRI, by Number of Facilities Reporting (Transfers reported in pounds/year) The TRI database contains a detailed compilation of self-reported, facilityspecific chemical releases. The top reporting facilities for this sector are listed below (Exhibit 19). Facilities that have reported only the SIC codes covered under this notebook appear on the first list. Exhibit 20 contains additional facilities that have reported the SIC code covered within this report, and one or more SIC codes that are not within the scope of this notebook. Therefore, the second list includes facilities that conduct multiple operations -- some that are under the scope of this notebook, and some that are not. Currently, the facility-level data do not allow pollutant releases to be broken apart by industrial process. b Being included in this list does not mean that the release is associated with non-compliance with environmental laws. Exhibit 20: Top 10 TRI Releasing Facilities Reporting Petroleum Refining The following is a synopsis of current scientific toxicity and fate information for the top chemicals (by weight) that facilities within this sector selfreported as released to the environment based upon 1993 TRI data. Because this section is based upon self-reported release data, it does not attempt to provide information on management practices employed by the sector to reduce the release of these chemicals. Information regarding pollutant release reductions over time may be available from EPA's TRI and 33/50 programs, or directly from the industrial trade associations that are listed in Section IX of this document. Since these descriptions are cursory, please consult the sources referenced below for a more detailed description of both the chemicals described in this section, and the chemicals that appear on the full list of TRI chemicals appearing in Section IV.A. The brief descriptions provided below were taken from the 1993 Toxics c Being included on this list does not mean that the release is associated with non-compliance with environmental laws. (IRIS), both accessed via TOXNET. The information contained below is based upon exposure assumptions that have been conducted using standard scientific procedures. The effects listed below must be taken in context of these exposure assumptions that are more fully explained within the full chemical profiles in HSDB. Ammonia (CAS: 7664-41-7) Sources. Ammonia is formed from the nitrogen bearing components of crude oil and can be found throughout petroleum refineries in both the gaseous and aqueous forms. Gaseous ammonia often leaves distillation, cracking and treating processes mixed with the sour gas or acid gas along with refinery fuel gases and hydrogen sulfide. Aqueous ammonia is present in the sourwater generated in the vacuum distillation unit and steam strippers or fractionators. Some release sources include, fugitive emissions, sour gas stripper, sulfur unit and wastewater discharges. Toxicity. Anhydrous ammonia is irritating to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and upper respiratory system. Ecologically, ammonia is a source of nitrogen (an essential element for aquatic plant growth), and may therefore contribute to eutrophication of standing or slow-moving surface water, particularly in nitrogen-limited waters such as the Chesapeake Bay. In addition, aqueous ammonia is moderately toxic to aquatic organisms. Carcinogenicity. There is currently no evidence to suggest that this chemical is carcinogenic. Environmental Fate. Ammonia combines with sulfate ions in the atmosphere and is washed out by rainfall, resulting in rapid return of ammonia to the soil and surface waters. Ammonia is a central compound in the environmental cycling of nitrogen. Ammonia in lakes, rivers, and streams is converted to nitrate. d TOXNET is a computer system run by the National Library of Medicine that includes a number of toxicological databases managed by EPA, National Cancer Institute, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. For more information on TOXNET, contact the TOXNET help line at 800-231-3766. Databases included in TOXNET are: CCRIS (Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information System), DART (Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity Database), DBIR (Directory of Biotechnology Information Resources), EMICBACK (Environmental Mutagen Information Center Backfile), GENE-TOX (Genetic Toxicology), HSDB (Hazardous Substances Data Bank), IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System), RTECS (Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances), and TRI (Toxic Chemical Release Inventory). HSDB contains chemical-specific information on manufacturing and use, chemical and physical properties, safety and handling, toxicity and biomedical effects, pharmacology, environmental fate and exposure potential, exposure standards and regulations, monitoring and analysis methods, and additional references. Physical Properties. Ammonia is a corrosive and severely irritating gas with a pungent odor. Toluene (CAS: 108-88-3) Sources. Toluene is a component of crude oil and is therefore present in many refining operations. Toluene is also produced during catalytic reforming and is sold as one of the large volume aromatics used as feedstocks in chemical manufacturing. Its volatile nature makes fugitive emissions its largest release source. Point air sources may arise during the process of separating toluene from other aromatics and from solvent dewaxing operations where toluene is often used as the solvent.. Toxicity. Inhalation or ingestion of toluene can cause headaches, confusion, weakness, and memory loss. Toluene may also affect the way the kidneys and liver function. Reactions of toluene (see environmental fate) in the atmosphere contribute to the formation of ozone in the lower atmosphere. Ozone can affect the respiratory system, especially in sensitive individuals such as asthma or allergy sufferers. Some studies have shown that unborn animals were harmed when high levels of toluene were inhaled by their mothers, although the same effects were not seen when the mothers were fed large quantities of toluene. Note that these results may reflect similar difficulties in humans. Carcinogenicity. There is currently no evidence to suggest that this chemical is carcinogenic. Environmental Fate. A portion of releases of toluene to land and water will evaporate. Toluene may also be degraded by microorganisms. Once volatilized, toluene in the lower atmosphere will react with other atmospheric components contributing to the formation of ground-level ozone and other air pollutants. Physical Properties. Toluene is a volatile organic chemical. Xylenes (Mixed Isomers) (CAS: 1330-20-7) Sources. Xylene isomers are a component of crude oil and are therefore present in many refining operations. Xylenes are also produced during catalytic reforming and are sold as one of the large volume aromatics used as feedstocks in chemical manufacturing. Xylene's volatile nature make |