The Environmental Protection Agency tightens standards for air pollution coming from more than 200 chemical plants in the U.S.
iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1243778467/1243788295" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">The Fifth Ward Elementary School and residential neighborhoods sit near the Denka Performance Elastomer Plant in Reserve, Louisiana.
Ethylene oxide and chloroprene are the two main pollutants targeted by the rule. They're mostly produced by chemical plants disproportionately located near minority communities in Texas and Louisiana. Even in small amounts, exposure to both chemicals can damage human DNA and cause mutations that can lead to illnesses later in life. Children are especially susceptible.
Regan visited St. John the Baptist Parish during his tour. It's in the heart of Louisiana's Cancer Alley — the nickname for the state's 85-mile industrial corridor located along the Mississippi River — and home to the country's only chloroprene producer, Denka Performance Elastomer. That chemical is used to make neoprene, a synthetic rubber used in things like beer koozies and wetsuits.
Robert Taylor lives about a half-mile from Denka Performance Elastomer, a plant affected by the EPA's new rule, in Reserve, Louisiana.Robert Taylor lives about a half-mile from Denka Performance Elastomer, a plant affected by the EPA's new rule, in Reserve, Louisiana.The EPA's new rule, he said, is the first time serious action has been taken to lower his community's risk.
launched by now-Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry after the agency launched a now-defunct investigation into the Cancer Alley. "It would be really nice if we could get back to the science and not the politics of the situation," Hutt said,"because there's a lot of people's livelihoods and jobs that are at stake in this outcome."
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nature Research Seeking Environmental Scientist with Background in Environmental EconomicsNature Research is looking for an environmental scientist with a strong background in environmental economics to join their team. The scientist should have a deep understanding of the subject and the ability to think critically and dynamically when faced with new information.
Read more »
EPA Requires Reduction of Toxic Emissions from Chemical Plants NationwideThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new rule requiring over 200 chemical plants across the country to reduce toxic emissions that can cause cancer. This rule aligns with President Joe Biden's commitment to environmental justice and aims to protect communities burdened by industrial pollution. The affected facilities are located in Texas, Louisiana, the Ohio River Valley, West Virginia, and the upper South, benefiting a majority-Black town in Louisiana visited by EPA Administrator Michael Regan in 2021.
Read more »
EPA tells Terumo plant in Lakewood to slash emissions of cancer-causing gas by 2026In 2022, the EPA announced it was studying ethylene oxide emissions and how they cause elevated cancer risk, and the federal agency identified Terumo’s Lakewood location as a facility where cancer …
Read more »
Environmental advocates applaud CPS Energy’s move to close gas-fired plant in a yearEnvironmental advocates say they are pleased to see CPS Energy is moving to close Braunig's three gas-fired units by the end of next spring.
Read more »
Decreases in social disparities in air pollution during lockdown suggest the need for sustainable policiesIs everyone equally affected by environmental pollution? This is the essence of 'environmental justice,' a concept that originated in the United States during the 1970s. It revolves around the idea of ensuring fairness and equity in environmental issues, preventing the disproportionate impact of environmental problems on specific groups or regions.
Read more »
EPA finalizes rule to cut emissions from freight trucks and buses and boost EVsThe Biden administration introduced an aggressive new EPA regulation focused on vehicle emissions.
Read more »