This one town has the highest risk of developing cancer in the country

Residents living near petrochemical plants between New Orleans and Baton Rouge call this area “Cancer Alley.” At Cancer Alley’s center is LaPlace, Lousiana, a town of 29,000 people who, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have the highest risk of developing cancer from air pollution in the country. Increased incidences of cancer and chloroprene emissions more than 100 times EPA guidelines have sparked a heated debate between locals, the EPA, a manufacturing plant, and the state government of Lousiana regarding the role of chloroprene emissions in areas deemed “cancer prone.” While there is currently no federal standard for chloroprene emissions, this debate is one that may prompt a second look at the need for one.

Over 99% of chloroprene emissions in the United States are from one plant that has operated for over 40 years. Denka, a Japanese chemical company, bought this plant from Dupont in 2015. It is the only producer of neoprene, a synthetic rubber (rubber alternative) found in almost everything — from wetsuits to hoses to automobile tires. Chloroprene is the main chemical used in the production process.

In 2010, the EPA published data that shows that chloroprene likely causes cancer in people. After the EPA updated its National Air Toxics Assessment showing an elevated risk of cancer cases around this plant in 2015, residents finally found a common cause for their illnesses. In a town where everyone knows someone who has died of cancer, they formed the Concerned Citizens of St. John the Baptist Parish. In 2016, the EPA issued guidance that any level of chloroprene more than 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter per year increases the risk of developing cancer. Promptly, Denka and the state of Louisiana agreed to reduce chloroprene emissions by 85% and are still in the process of installing equipment to do so.

Although complying with the agreement, Denka disputes the EPA guideline of 0.2 and argues that there is no correlation between chloroprene and cancer. The Concerned Citizens of St. John the Baptist Parish have filed a class action suit against Denka. The EPA and the state are currently reviewing Denka’s argument.

Source: CNN, “Toxic tensions in the heart of ‘Cancer Alley’”