Because of its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico oil rigs located there, Louisiana has become a hotspot for industrial petrochemical companies such as Royal Dutch / Shell Group, Dow Chemical, and others. While these chemical plants are responsible for creating the building blocks of many products we use every day, some Louisiana residents believe that pollution from these plants has contributed to the state high rates of cancer, nicknaming it "Cancer Alley ."
There is a 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. It is a strategic location for chemical plants in the immediate vicinity of two large cities, as well as the main source of transportation. Therefore, it is not surprising that more than 130 industrial plants sprouted in this area, close to many small, low-income neighborhoods.
However, neighbors in the area soon to experience higher rates of cancer than normal, which has led them to nickname this part of the development of "cancer alley." In fact, in 2002, Louisiana has the second highest death rate from cancer in the United States.
Incidentally, the 2000 Toxic Release Inventory report performs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Government has found that Louisiana, and ranks second in the U.S. for a total site releases of chemicals and pollutants. In addition, the State was fourth at the spot in the combined and offsite releases. A staggering seven out of ten for offsite and releasing chemical plants in Louisiana are located in cancer alley. Four of the top ten on-site contaminants in cancer alley.
In addition to regular pollutants and chemical plants are also known to have spills, such as Condea Vista. This corporation is a plant admitted that 90 spills in one year, and it was punished for freeing 19-47000000 pounds of ethylene dichloride into the environment. Scary, this chemical may be a human carcinogen, may give credibility to claims of people who live in cancer alley.
Unfortunately, when you live near a chemical plant, chemical pollutants are not the only threat you face. In many older plants, asbestos used as insulation for protection from heat, flame, electricity and chemicals. As the plants age, they can publish microscopic asbestos fibers into the air, where they can breathe, or ingested. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen that can cause problems such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
If you have lived or worked in the area that contained many chemical plants, you should talk to your doctor today about cancer tests. More information about the dangers of asbestos, visit today.
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