“Environmental Activist Fights Against Cancer-Causing Plastics Plant in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley”

This news post covers the ongoing concerns and research surrounding the proposed plastics plant by Formosa Plastics Corp in Cancer Alley, Louisiana. Sharon Lavigne, a local environmentalist, has been vocal about the potential dangers of the plant emitting cancer-causing ethylene oxide and other pollutants. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University found alarming levels of ethylene oxide in the air in Cancer Alley, far exceeding EPA’s acceptable risk threshold.

The study, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, revealed that the EPA’s estimates for ethylene oxide exposure in the area were significantly underestimated. The American Chemistry Council disputed the study’s findings, but the researchers defended their methodology. They emphasized the need for accurate data to inform regulatory decisions on industrial facilities in the region.

Lavigne and other advocates in Cancer Alley are calling for stronger national standards to protect residents from toxic air pollution. They argue that allowing these facilities to operate without strict compliance measures puts lives at risk for the sake of profit. The research team plans to continue studying air pollutants in the area to provide a comprehensive understanding of the health risks faced by residents.

Jo Banner, co-founder of the Descendants Project, highlighted the broader impact of pollution from Cancer Alley, emphasizing that the consequences extend beyond the local community. The article concludes with information about the author, Victoria St. Martin, who covers health and environmental justice for Inside Climate News. St. Martin’s background in journalism and personal experience with breast cancer inform her reporting on health disparities affecting Black women.