Louisiana's Pollution Problem: How Bad Is It?

Louisiana is rich in petroleum and natural gas reserves, with huge deposits found both onshore and offshore. The state has also been approving the building of new chemical plants in areas that already have the state's worst air quality, in a region known as Cancer Alley. While air quality has improved across the US over the past few decades, Louisiana is backsliding, with a recent analysis finding that a crush of new industrial plants will increase concentrations of cancer-causing chemicals in predominantly Black and poor communities. Louisiana also ranks fourth in the nation for industrial water pollution.

Louisiana's air quality is worsening

The Mississippi River corridor, which runs through Cancer Alley, is a major shipping lane with cheap land and a lax regulatory regime, making it attractive to manufacturers. Louisiana has standards for toxic chemical concentrations but does not regularly monitor air quality near major polluters, unlike neighbouring states such as Texas. The state's approach of evaluating chemicals in isolation may also undercount the cumulative impact on air quality.

The approval of new chemical plants in areas with already poor air quality, such as Cancer Alley, is contributing to the worsening air pollution in Louisiana. These plants are often located in predominantly black and poor communities, exacerbating environmental justice issues. The state's rich petroleum and natural gas reserves, both onshore and offshore, further contribute to the state's air pollution challenges.

Community groups in Louisiana have expressed concerns about the state's efforts to restrict air pollution monitoring. A state law mandates the use of federally-approved testing equipment and imposes restrictions on data analysis and sharing, making it challenging for community groups to allege violations of environmental rules. These groups have filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the law violates their constitutional rights and hinders their ability to take action against polluters.

Louisiana's air quality issues are evident in cities like New Orleans, which has experienced an increase in unhealthy days with high ozone levels. The production of ozone is linked to higher temperatures and the presence of specific chemicals from combustion sources such as internal combustion engines and power plants. While year-round particle pollution levels in New Orleans have improved, meeting the national standard, the overall trend in Louisiana indicates a worsening air quality situation.

Louisiana's industrial water pollution

Louisiana has been ranked 4th in the US for industrial water pollution. A report by nonprofit Environment America, "Wasting our Waterways", found that five Louisiana plants landed in the top 50 for the toxicity of their permitted discharges into state waters. The state also includes the largest expanse of polluted estuaries in the country.

The Clean Water Act of 1972 was passed when raw sewage was being dumped directly into lakes and rivers were catching fire. The Act enabled stricter monitoring and regulation of industrial and water treatment facilities, limiting the chemical and human waste discharged into bodies of water. However, land runoff from farms and home sewage systems, which are not regulated under the Clean Water Act, are the greatest threat to Louisiana's waterways.

Agricultural pollution loaded with nutrients creates toxic algal blooms across the water's surface, which remove oxygen from the water, harming fish and wildlife. Unmaintained home sewage systems allow raw sewage to leak into the soil and find its way into bayous, lakes and streams, rendering them unsafe for swimming.

Some of the most polluting plants in Louisiana include CF Industries' nitrogen fertilizer plant in Donaldsonville, Honeywell International Inc.'s Carville plant, BASF Corp.'s Geismar plant, and the Denka Performance Elastomer plant in Reserve.

Louisiana's industrial air pollution is also a cause for concern. The state has been described as backsliding when it comes to air quality, with a crush of new industrial plants increasing concentrations of cancer-causing chemicals in predominantly Black and poor communities. Louisiana is approving the building of new chemical plants in areas that already have the state's worst air quality, in a region known as "Cancer Alley".

Louisiana's lax air pollution regulations

Louisiana's air quality is among the worst in the United States and is worsening, with the state ranking in the top 10 for high-polluting areas. The state's air quality is particularly poor in the Mississippi River corridor, an area known as "Cancer Alley" due to its concentration of petrochemical facilities. The state's abundant natural resources, such as petroleum and natural gas, as well as its advantageous shipping lanes and cheap land, have attracted many industrial plants. However, Louisiana's lax air pollution regulations and lack of monitoring have allowed toxic air pollution to persist and even increase.

While air quality has improved across the United States over the decades, Louisiana's air quality is deteriorating. The state has approved the construction of new chemical plants in areas that already suffer from poor air quality, and the number of facilities required to report their toxic releases has increased since the 1980s, contrary to the national trend of decreasing toxic emissions. Louisiana's regulatory agencies have been criticised for their lax attitude and failure to regularly monitor air quality near major polluters, potentially undercounting the true effect on air quality.

Louisiana's air pollution regulations are enforced by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). The LDEQ has implemented various programmes and initiatives to address environmental concerns, such as the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program, the Louisiana Environmental Leadership Program, and the Environmental Regulatory Code. However, the state's regulations have been criticised for their lack of stringency and effectiveness in reducing air pollution.

One of the main issues with Louisiana's air pollution regulations is their focus on individual chemicals rather than the cumulative impact of multiple chemicals. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers the combined effects of various chemicals, Louisiana only assesses one chemical at a time, potentially undercounting the true impact on air quality. This discrepancy in assessment methods has led to concerns about the accuracy of Louisiana's air quality data and the potential undercounting of toxic emissions.

Furthermore, community groups in Louisiana have accused the state of attempting to restrict their ability to monitor air pollution. They have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that a state law regulating air-pollution monitoring violates their constitutional rights, including their freedom of speech. The community groups, which have been partially funded by the EPA, argue that their low-cost air sensors are crucial for detecting toxic pollution and providing real-time alerts to residents in areas like Cancer Alley. However, Louisiana officials have disputed these claims, stating that the law only clarifies the standards for data used in regulatory enforcement and legal contexts.

Louisiana's petrochemical facilities

Louisiana is rich in petroleum and natural gas reserves, with huge deposits found both onshore and offshore in state-owned waters. The state is home to hundreds of petrochemical manufacturers and multiple refineries, with over 150 petrochemical plants and 15 refineries. The stretch of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, an 85-mile corridor, is nicknamed "Cancer Alley" due to its concentration of petrochemical facilities—over 200 plants and refineries. This area has been documented to have serious water and air pollution, with rates of cancer caused by air pollution exceeding the federal government's acceptable risk limits.

The state's low-tax environment and competitive industrial natural gas rates offer significant cost savings for businesses, attracting global leaders such as Dow, ExxonMobil, and Honeywell. Louisiana has also invested in site readiness, advanced GIS-mapping technology, and a pro-business climate, creating ideal conditions for growth.

However, Louisiana has been criticized for its lax regulatory regime and lack of regular air quality monitoring near major polluters. The state only considers the effects of one chemical at a time, potentially undercounting the true impact on air quality. This has resulted in adverse impacts on African American residents in Cancer Alley, with an increase in cancer cases and respiratory problems.

Despite these concerns, Louisiana continues to approve the construction of new chemical plants in areas with poor air quality. Seven large new petrochemical facilities and expansions have been approved in the river corridor since 2015, with five more major projects, including the controversial $9.4 billion Formosa Plastics factory in St. James Parish, awaiting approval.

Louisiana's air pollution health risks

Louisiana is rich in petroleum and natural gas reserves, with huge deposits found both onshore and offshore in state-owned waters. The state is also home to about 2% of the total US petroleum reserves and around 5% of its natural gas reserves. As a result, Louisiana has become a hub for industrial plants and chemical projects, with the Mississippi River corridor offering built-in advantages for manufacturers. However, this has led to a concerning increase in air pollution, with Louisiana being one of the least-improved states in terms of toxic air levels since 1988.

The stretch of the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge has earned the nickname "Cancer Alley" due to its concentration of petrochemical facilities. Despite improvements in air quality since the 1980s, Louisiana is now backsliding, with a recent analysis finding that the construction of new industrial plants will increase the concentration of cancer-causing chemicals in predominantly Black and poor communities. This is particularly concerning given that Louisiana does not regularly monitor air quality near major polluters, unlike its neighbouring state, Texas.

The state's approach to toxic air pollution is also concerning. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers the cumulative effects of various chemicals, Louisiana only assesses one chemical at a time, potentially undercounting the true impact on air quality. Additionally, Louisiana has approved the building of new chemical plants in areas that already have the state's worst air quality, with the number of facilities required to report their toxic releases to the government increasing since the 1980s.

The health risks associated with Louisiana's air pollution are significant. A study published in the United States found that even slightly elevated levels of certain air pollutants, such as ozone, can lead to a much higher risk of lung damage, comparable to that caused by smoking. Furthermore, the presence of toxic air pollutants, or "hazardous air pollutants," can cause cancer and other serious health issues. These pollutants are often released by chemical plants, refineries, and other industries, and community groups in Louisiana have relied on independent air monitoring systems to warn residents of potential health threats.

However, a new state law effectively bans the use of data from all but very expensive, EPA-approved air monitors, making it difficult for community groups to access accurate information about air pollution levels. This law has been met with criticism and a federal lawsuit, with community members and environmental groups arguing that it suppresses their ability to inform citizens about public health threats.

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