#CancerAlley, a nickname dating to the 1980s, is an 85-mile stretch from New Orleans to Baton Rouge that is home to some 150 #ChemicalPlants & #oil refineries.

Multiple studies over years point to elevated #health risks, including one in 2022 that found nearly EVERY census tract in the area ranks in the top 5% nationally for #cancer risk.

In 2023, the #Biden admin sued Denka, demanding it eliminate the dangers posed by #chloroprene #emissions.

"She's not even 8 months yet, & has to be subject to breathing all that," said Gerard, referring to the plant's #emissions of #chloroprene, which in 2010 the #EPA classified as a human #carcinogen.

7 wks after #Trump took over in Jan, new EPA leadership withdrew the suit against the plant's Japanese owners, Denka Performance Elastomer LLC, siding w/ the company who disputed the lawsuit's contention that emissions were linked to significant #cancer risk.

@DaveWhittle

“This country has abandoned us to the vagaries of the petrochemical industry.”

“Who decided to sacrifice us and to whom?”

“Who are the beneficiaries of my three-year-old great-grandson, who, at 2.5 years old, had already exceeded the 70-year level of exposure to these chemicals? ... "

#chemicals
#chloroprene
#cancer

The #EPA considers #chloroprene —which is used to make synthetic rubber—a likely #carcinogen, & the suit sought to compel the plant to curb these #emissions.

#Trump ofcls’ decision to abandon the case…has prompted alarm from #environmental & #PublicHealth advocates. They warn that the plant’s continued operations could harm the #health of thousands of residents, including hundreds of young #children who are especially vulnerable to carcinogens.