Refinery Air Watch
Radical access to data for environmental justice
Refineries are forced to measure the toxic chemicals they release, but industry and government-run websites make the data hard to access and understand. This website lets citizens easily download air quality data; reveals what data refineries aren’t publishing; and compares data among refineries, corporations, and states.
The website—the result of a collaboration between advocates, scientists, designers, and software developers—is inspired by the concept of “radical access” to data. It’s the first of its kind in the US to prioritize access to ambient air quality data, making the information easier to analyze for more effective advocacy toward better regulatory policies.
Below, a tour of an individual refinery’s page.
Below, the Comparisons page features tabs offering various ways to rank and analyze refineries. Data for multiple refineries can also be downloaded at once.
The home page allows a choice to browse refineries in a list or as an interactive map.
