For product and feedstock storage, the emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs, Benzene, Toluene, etc.) and inorganic substances (HCl, H2SO4, metals, etc.) should be minimized to the extent practicle. The emission levels of these substances for a particular project will be evaluated based on the materials being handled and available emission control technologies. Storage tanks and loading areas should have vapor recovery systems to control losses of VOCs.

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY - EIAs for refineries and petrochemical plants should contain air-modeling studies that take into account existing air quality data to assess the quantitative impact of a new plant, or a significant expansion to an existing facility. The aggregate level of emissions from all sources within the property boundary, including emissions from new and existing facilities, should not result in ambient air conditions that exceed local standards or the values set forth below:

WATER QUALITY

LIQUID EFFLUENTS - Process wastewater, domestic sewage and contaminated stormwater should be treated to meet the following specified limits before being discharged to surface waters. Reduction in the generation of effluents through process modifications and recycling is recommended:

Temperature (edge of a designated mixing zone) - Max 3°C > ambient temp of receiving water
A mixing zone is a limited area or volume of water where initial dilution of a discharge takes place and beyond which applicable water quality criteria should not be exceeded. In the case of a thermal plume, a mixing zone is generally defined as occupying no more than 25% of the cross section of a waterway channel (river, stream, etc.) so as to allow passage of aquatic life and permit other uses of the water. In the case of an open body of water, the mixing zone will be defined on a case-by-case basis taking into account factors such as the existing ecology and in particular, the presence of coral reefs. Where zone is not defined, 100m from the point of discharge will be used.

Liquid effluent discharges to a public or private central wastewater treatment system may be subject to pre-treatment requirements. Applicants should provide information from the local authority or private central wastewater treatment company, to confirm that the treatment system has the capacity to adequately treat the project's liquid effluents.

In the case of discharges potentially impacting groundwater resources, metal parameters will meet the levels listed under the liquid effluent limits. Measures should be taken to prevent potential groundwater contamination from discharges containing toxic hydrocarbons. For projects potentially causing erosion and sedimentation impacts in receiving waters, a plan should be submitted incorporating measures to mitigate the impacts on water quality and aquatic life.

OTHER GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Monitors for hydrogen sulfide must be installed wherever this gas mass may accumulate. The monitors should be set to activate warning signals whenever detected concentrations of H₂S levels exceed 5 ppm.
• An assessment of petroleum or product/feedstock spill risks and potential impacts must be conducted, and a spill prevention and pollution control plan must be developed and implemented.
• Minimization, to the extent practicable, of flaring to reduce greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions must be practiced. However, flaring is preferable to the direct venting of harmful emissions to the atmosphere.

GUIDELINES SPECIFIC TO VESSELS AND PIPELINES IN HYDROCARBON SERVICE

• Positive pipe corrosion control measures;
• Program of periodic inspection and maintenance to reduce fugitive emissions and minimize leaks;
• Temperature and pressure sensors connected to alarms and automatic shutdown systems;
• Accurate and complete records of all inspections, leak incidents, unusual events and safety measures taken.

SOLID AND LIQUID NON-HAZARDOUS WASTES
Applicants should provide a waste management plan that incorporates environmentally safe waste management and disposal practices. Recycling or reclamation of materials is encouraged where possible. If recycling or reclamation is not practical, wastes must be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner that incorporates best management practices, as well as in compliance with applicable local laws and regulations.

HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC MATERIALS AND WASTES
Projects that include the handling, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials must include a management plan for those materials which contain the following elements:

• Existing equipment and systems involving PCBs or CFCs should be phased-out and disposed of in a manner consistent with the requirements of the host country and in accord with the recommendations set forth in the PPAH ("Industrial Management of Hazardous Wastes").
• Storage and liquid impoundment areas for fuels, raw and in-process materials, solvents, wastes, and finished products should be designed with secondary containment or liners, where required, to prevent the contamination of soil, groundwater and surface waters.
• Maintenance of all hazardous materials in clearly labeled containers or vessels,
• Storage and handling of all hazardous materials appropriate to the hazard characteristics: reactivity; flammability; corrosivity; radioactivity; and toxicity,
• Fire prevention systems and secondary containment for storage facilities, where required, to prevent fires or the release of hazardous materials to the environment,
• Hazardous wastes must be treated and disposed of in a manner to prevent the contamination of soil, groundwater and surface waters and to avoid the release of toxic substances to the environment.
• A suitable remediation plan will be developed to address the clean-up, as necessary, of contamination on soil and water as appropriate, for the specific site conditions.

NOISE
The Project boundary or fenceline is the commonly accepted location for evaluating Project related noise impacts, although the outer edge of a buffer zone or other uninhabited area may be appropriate in selected cases.

AMBIENT NOISE: Steady-state noise levels from the Project's operation, measured at noise receptors located outside the Project property boundary, should not exceed the following limits:

RESETTLEMENT, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, CULTURAL PROPERTY (When Applicable)
Project site selection should take into account and minimize to the extent practical adverse impacts to indigenous and other vulnerable people within the project's area of influence resulting from involuntary resettlement, land use changes, population influx due to increased access caused by the project, or effects on culturally significant artifacts or sites.

Where large resettlement or relocation becomes unavoidable, a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) must be developed and implemented in compliance with host-country laws and international guidelines such as those of the World Bank Group. (See Operational Safeguard Policies of the World Bank: OP 4.20, Indigenous Peoples; OP 4.11, Safeguarding Cultural Property and OD 4.30, Involuntary Resettlement).

NATURAL HABITATS (When Applicable)
Project site selection should take into account and minimize to the extent practical impacts to the ecology within the project's area of influence. Care to avoid/minimize impacts should be demonstrated, particularly in the case of important and critical natural habitats as defined in World Bank Operational Policy 4.04; Natural Habitats. For projects situated in sensitive locations, the EIA should address the risk of direct and indirect impacts on the environment of the project's area of influence as well as measures to mitigate these impacts. Guidance in protecting natural habitats is provided in OP 4.04.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING (When Applicable)
For Category A projects, an environmental management and monitoring plan (EMP), as described in Annex E, should be provided that sets forth: (a) the measures to be taken during the implementation and operation of a project to eliminate or offset adverse environmental impacts, or reduce them to acceptable levels; (b) the actions needed to implement these measures; and (c) actions required to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures employed. Specific requirements of the EMP will be made on a case-by-case basis according to the project's environmental sensitivities. The World Bank Operational Policy 4.01 provides guidance with respect to the preparation of an EMP.