Petroleum, Refineries, and the Future

Exploring Pollution and the Environmental Impacts Associated with Petroleum Refining

Image: FEMA - 37677 - Aerial of a Louisiana oil refinary repaired since Katrina. By Jacinta Quesada (This image is from the FEMA Photo Library.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons


Petroleum Refineries are responsible for transforming crude oil into more usable products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and plastics to name a few. This transformation process results in large amounts of pollutants that are released into the surrounding area. Petroleum refineries are not taking full advantage of the technologies and innovations that are available to decrease their impact on the environment. Oil companies, along with the government, need to take action to minimize the pollution and environmental abuse the refining industry causes because people around the world will likely rely on oil for decades into the future. 

This page has paths:

Contents of this path: