Is it dangerous or unhealthy to live 1 mile from an oil refinery?

Question

Thinking of buying a house near one, and wonder if it's a bad idea.

Answer 1

Property values are less near a refinery. If you live near a refinery, check the state Department of Environmental Quality to investigate what kinds of violations they have had. It could be that the groundwater beneath your property may be contaminated, if they have had a release. If you are on a well, this would not be a good thing.

See what kind of air discharges they are permitted for. There will be alot of sulphur in their discharges and it will smell bad.

Otherwise, unless you, your spouse, your children have a genetic predisposition for cancer or other respiratory illnesses, you should not have a problem.

Find out where your evacuation routes are in an emergency should one arise. If they store Chlorine (ask your county emergency planning department), you may be required to leave your home in the event of a toxic release.

If they do store large quantities of toxic materials that may present themselves as a poisonous hazard, I would get a few Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) like the firemen use in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Answer 2

very dangerous due to the explosive power of a refinery and the out put that drifts overhead ..well to say the least cant be good for you .

Answer 3

i don't think you're unsafe if you live there.

it would matter to me what side of the refinery you lived on
(n, s, e, or w). The predominant wind is going to be going in one of those directions carrying the pollutants along.

Answer 4

i would find a house some where else

Answer 5

no. the pro is that you can get all the oil you want ;)

Answer 6

no its just then a fire starts it might blow...i live by one and thers no problem