1990 by Daniel Tobin
“Environmental Justice Case Study: Toxic Neighbors of Corpus Christi,” Umich.edu, Accessed on April 20, 2022
Refinery Row is the name given to a series of districts where low income African American and Hispanic individuals live in. The industrial pollution consists of both ground and air pollution. Ground water contamination, lead contamination of the soil, and toxic clouds are just some of the incidents reported. Complaints have largely been ignored by the city. City hall refused to hold a special town meeting on the subject.
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“Public Health Assessment for Corpus Christi Refineries,” Atsder.cdc.gov, April 20,
2022
A public health assessment of Refinery Row. As a result of the refineries and facilities releasing chemicals into the air and it not being contained, people in the area are exposed to these chemicals as they breathe. In the short term, there is little risk except for those that are most vulnerable such as children or the elderly with pre-existing conditions. The long term risks however can lead to an low risk of cancer. Additionally, the majority of the demographic there is Latino.
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“Corpus Christi Refinery Row,” astder.cdc.gov, April 20, 2022,
Studies of the chemicals in the air reveal that it consists of Benzene, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide. This mixture of chemicals in the air puts people with sensitive lungs at risk. The chance of getting cancer from breathing in individual chemicals is low, but increases if it is a mixture of chemicals. Additionally, Refinery Row has higher rates of asthma. There are also higher rates of birth defects as well.
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Lisa Donaghue, Corpus Christi Caller Times, 4/30/97. Special Collections Vertical
Files, File: Shell Oil Company, Special Collections and Archives, Mary & Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Local Environmentalists seek federal help to examine risks; no problem exists, port official says. -Lisa Donaghue
Local environmental group asked for federal assistance with refinery row’s harmful emissions. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry agreed to do a report. Frank Newchurch president of the Port said studies have shown no health risks. The local environmental group states that the city is discriminating against minority groups. The city attorney refutes the claims and says there is no proof.
Rosemary Barnes, Corpus Christi Caller Times, 5-14-97, Special Collections Vertical
Files, File: Shell Oil Company, Special Collections and Archives, Mary & Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Mighty blast, but no toxic fumes. -Rosemary Barnes
An explosion occurred on the night of Monday at the CITGO Refining Co. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. CITGO officials said chemicals were not released. CITGO claims that the fire is burning off any toxic chemicals. CITGO claims that propane and butane are the main chemicals being burned. The Texas Natural Resource conservation commission is assessing the environmental effects.
Access information: This piece of evidence was found by going to the TAMUCC Library Archives and asking for information on Refinery Row and pollution in Corpus Christi.
Libby Averyt, Corpus Christi Caller Times, 5-22-97, Special Collections Vertical
Files, File: Shell Oil Company, Special Collections and Archives, Mary & Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Firefighters Fear effects of blast-Libby Averyt
In the aftermath of the May 12 CITGO explosion, some of the firefighters who responded reported symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, sore throats, and itchy eyes. There were concerns that these are sighs of long-term illness. CITGO officials say that hydrofluoric acid was released. Around five barrels was burned in the fire. It is reported that the acid was shot into the atmosphere and was dispersed.
Access information: This piece of evidence was found by going to the TAMUCC Library Archives and asking for information on Refinery Row and pollution in Corpus Christi.
David Sikes, Corpus Christi Caller Times, 5-29-97, Special Collections Vertical Files,
File: Shell Oil Company, Special Collections and Archives, Mary & Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Four local refineries cited for emissions of chemicals-David Sikes
The Texas Natural Resource Conversation Commission cited four local refineries for hazardous levels of chemicals in the air. Hydrogen sulfide and benzene were the chemicals found in the air outside. The three companies that own these refineries are CITGO, Valero, and Oxychem. The three companies dispute these claims. Reports of foul order. Were made but not reports of illness.
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Ron George, Corpus Christi Caller Times, 5-30-97, Special Collections Vertical Files,
File: Shell Oil Company, Special Collections and Archives, Mary & Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Pipe involved in blast was substandard-Ron George
It was reported by CITGO that the pipe that fueled the May 12 explosion was substandard and should have been replaced 2 years ago. The company records said that the pipe was replaced but it wasn’t the cause of the explosion is still unknown. There are reports that it might have been lightning. Two lawsuits have been filed against CITGO due to harm and diminished real estate value.
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Griest, Stephanie Elizondo. “LIFE ON Refinery Row.” Earth Island Journal 27, no. 2
(2012): 38–43.
Refinery Row is a heavily polluted area that is close to a residential area consisting of mostly low-income people. Many are conflicted to leave. The property value of their homes has also plummeted as a result of the location of the property. As a result of this, selling their homes is not an option. The agencies that are supposed to manage pollution are said to have close ties to industries they are supposed to regulate.
Access information: This article was taken by searching Refinery Row on the TAMUCC Library search bar and selecting the file, “LIFE ON Refinery Row.”
McCormick, David. Refinery Woe: Citizens Groups in Corpus Christi Blame
Pollution for High Cancer Rates -- but they must Prove it. Texas Monthly, May 01, 1995. 98, (accessed April 27, 2022).
Refinery Row has five refineries and is responsible for refining 5 percent of the America’s gasoline. The refineries are also responsible for employing thousands of people and providing thousands of jobs to the city. However, poor black and Hispanic neighborhoods living close to Refinery Row blame the factories for higher than average cancer rates. However, the city and the refineries dispute these claims and says that they pose no threat to the health and safety of the people. Lawsuits have been levied against the factory owners in order to help these residents move.
Access information: This article was found by going to the TAMUCC Library webpage and typing in Corpus Christi Pollution into the search bar and selecting “Refinery Woe.”