SUNCOR’S HISTORY OF POLLUTION
Suncor is the only petroleum refinery in Colorado and a “major source” of air pollution that requires Title V operating permits under the federal Clean Air Act. Although the permits are intended to prioritize public health protections, they also give Suncor the right to pollute. Additionally, Suncor has been divided into two separate permits: East Side (Plant 2) and West Side (Plants 1 & 3). Since Suncor self-reports air pollution annually, the state must be diligent to ensure Suncor is compliant. It's past time to end Suncor’s air pollution violations!
WHAT AIR POLLUTANTS ARE OF GREATEST CONCERN?
Suncor reported over 1,000 emissions exceedances or violations of emissions standards or limitations over a 5-year period (Jan ’19–Dec ’23). Air pollutants of concern include:
- Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), including cancer-causing chemicals like benzene,
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx), which can irritate airways and worsen lung diseases like asthma,
- Particulates, or fine particles that get lodged in lungs and result in premature death,
- Sulfur dioxide, part of the orange cloud releases that have occurred,
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a highly flammable, explosive gas, and
- Radon, a highly volatile gas and the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
HOW DOES AIR POLLUTION AFFECT HEALTH?
Air pollution releases toxins and contaminants into the air that are harmful to children’s lungs, human health, and the environment. Air quality has a direct correlation to human health. Poor air quality can harm human health. Air pollution from the Suncor refinery can result in health impacts including:
- Asthma attacks
- Respiratory issues
- Lung cancer
- Birth defects and low birth weight
- Heart attacks and strokes
- Neurological and developmental problems
WHY AIR QUALITY MONITORING (AQM)?
Understanding what’s in the air should lead to better policies and enforcement. In conjunction with Cultivando, Boulder AIR implemented a complex air quality monitoring system that provided accurate measurements following state and federal guidelines. The data collected over a one-year period (Mar ’22–Mar ’23) demonstrated that people were episodically exposed to multiple chemicals at high concentrations. However, the current standards are not designed to regulate either variation or mixtures of chemicals over the short term.
Although fenceline monitoring of Suncor is now required, the health of the community will not be protected until we understand the harms of the cocktail of chemicals people are exposed to, accurately measure those pollutants, and then truly enforce those limits.
REGULATORY OVERSIGHT CONTINUES TO IMPROVE
- In 2020, the enforcement package improved community notification.
- In 2021, the Regulate Air Toxics Act (HB21-1189) increased air monitoring.
- In 2022, Public Protection From Air Toxics Contaminants (HB22-1244) increased regulation of some toxic air contaminants.
Despite these improvements, there is more work to be done.
AQM FUNDED BY SUNCOR SETTLEMENT
In 2020, Cultivando was granted $1.7 million of the Suncor settlement money to continuously monitor pollution from the refinery for one full year. The results of this monitoring demonstrated what residents long suspected. Pollution levels near Suncor were substantially higher than in communities farther away.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
LEARN MORE about the Suncor permits here.
JOIN Moms Clean Air Force and Cultivando.
CONTACT
Updated: June 2024