A new study found that during hurricanes, petrochemical manufacturers in Texas released higher amounts of toxic contamination into the air, land, and water.
Researchers found that Hurricane Rita in 2005 led to contamination releases that were double those observed during normal weather, while Hurricanes Ike and Harvey (in 2008 and 2017 respectively) saw contamination levels triple.
Petrochemical refineries were identified as the primary sources of contamination during these events, contributing the most significant amounts of hazardous substances.
This study also found that the communities most affected by these toxic releases tended to have higher proportions of renters, higher poverty rates, and larger Hispanic populations.
How Hurricanes Can Lead to Toxic Contamination
Hurricanes don’t just damage homes and infrastructure—they can also wreak havoc on petrochemical facilities, leading to the release of dangerous chemicals. When these powerful storms hit, they can knock out power, flood facilities, and cause equipment to fail. This leads to the release of toxic substances into the air, water, and soil. The chemicals released can vary widely, and include solvents, oil, and more.
Other substances can also be released from storage facilities, plastics manufacturers, Superfund sites, landfills, and more. Things like heavy metals, pesticides, and even household hazardous wastes can create a “toxic soup” that contaminates the groundwater.
Examples of Hurricanes and Toxic Contamination
This recent study is certainly not the first time that hurricanes or other extreme weather events have shown an increase in toxic contamination.
Several hurricanes over the past few decades have shown just how dangerous these toxic releases can be:
- Hurricane Katrina (2005): Contamination across New Orleans and surrounding areas included industrial waste, raw sewage, heavy metals, and chemicals from flooded vehicles and household products. For example, over one million gallons of crude oil spilled from the Murphy Oil refinery alone, contaminating a large residential area. Additionally, toxic substances leached into the groundwater and sediments, leading to prolonged environmental damage. The floodwaters, which inundated five Superfund sites, also carried these pollutants into water bodies like Lake Pontchartrain, further exacerbating the ecological crisis.
- Hurricane Rita (2005): Hurricane Rita was a Category 5 storm in 2005 that caused significant damage along the Gulf Coast, particularly in Texas and Louisiana. Rita caused twice the number of toxic releases compared to normal conditions.
- Hurricane Ike (2008): Hurricane Ike was a Category 4 storm in 2008 that caused widespread destruction and flooding along the Gulf Coast, particularly in Texas. It became one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history, economically and environmentally. Ike tripled the amount of toxic contamination released.
- Hurricane Harvey (2017): Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 storm in 2017 that caused unprecedented flooding and extensive damage in Texas, particularly in the Houston area, making it one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history. Harvey saw chemical plants in Houston release millions of pounds of toxic chemicals into the air, leading to severe health problems for many residents.
- Hurricane Laura (2020): Hurricane Laura was a Category 4 storm in 2020 that struck Louisiana with intense winds and storm surge, causing widespread destruction and significant damage across the region. In particular, Laura caused a fire at a chemical factory in Louisiana, releasing hazardous smoke and forcing residents to be placed under a shelter in place order.
- Hurricane Ida (2021): Hurricane Ida was a Category 4 storm in 2021 that brought severe wind damage and extensive flooding to Louisiana and the Northeastern U.S.. Ida damaged industrial facilities, leading to the release of highly toxic chemicals and further complicating the environmental and health impacts of the storm.
The Impact on Vulnerable Communities
Unfortunately, not everyone is equally affected by these toxic releases. Communities with higher poverty rates, more renters, and larger Hispanic populations are often located near petrochemical facilities, making them more vulnerable to the effects of toxic contamination during hurricanes.
The potential health impacts in these communities can be especially severe, ranging from respiratory issues to long-term chronic diseases. These areas often lack the resources needed to respond to and recover from such environmental disasters, which only deepens existing social and health inequalities.
The Role of Climate Change
Climate change is making hurricanes stronger and more frequent, which means the risk of toxic contamination is also increasing. The long-term environmental impacts of this increased hurricane activity are significant. Contaminated soil, polluted water, and the loss of biodiversity are just a few of the potential consequences. The toxins released during these storms can linger in the environment for years and even decades, posing ongoing risks to health and ecosystems.