Cancer Alley

Louisiana Refinery’s Toxic Spill: Months of Concealment Spark Outrage

A Louisiana refinery recently spilled toxic waste into the surrounding community, a fact they apparently concealed for months. This isn’t just another unfortunate accident; it’s a blatant disregard for public safety and environmental protection, highlighting a systemic issue deeply rooted in the state’s political landscape. The sheer audacity of this action, coupled with the likely minimal consequences, points to a pattern of negligence that demands immediate and significant change.

The incident underscores the deep-seated problem of prioritizing corporate profits over human health and environmental well-being. The area, already known as “Cancer Alley” due to its high cancer rates, is further burdened by this latest contamination.… Continue reading

Louisiana chemical plant threatens to shut down if EPA emissions deadline isn’t relaxed

Growing up near the Denka plant in Reserve, Louisiana, I have seen firsthand the impact of its operations on the surrounding community. The proximity of this chemical plant to an elementary school and its location within the Mississippi River Chemical Corridor, colloquially referred to as Cancer Alley, raises serious concerns about the health and safety of the residents, including myself and my family. The recent threat made by the company to shut down if the EPA emissions deadline isn’t relaxed is not only alarming but also indicative of their prioritization of profits over public health.

The Denka plant manufactures neoprene, a synthetic rubber used in various products, and has been accused of increasing the cancer risk for the predominantly Black community living in the area.… Continue reading