“Waiting to Die”: Toxic Emissions and Disease Near the Denka Performance Elastomer Neoprene Facility in Louisiana's Cancer Alley

Abstract

Background: Residents of census tract 708 in St. John Parish, Louisiana, face the highest nationwide cancer risk from air pollution due to chloroprene emissions from the Denka Performance Elastomer facility. The University Network for Human Rights worked with residents of this predominantly Black community in Cancer Alley to design and implement a survey-based health study of the area. The study aimed to (1) assess the relationship between household proximity to the facility and reported illness, and (2) advance the advocacy objectives of the community. Methods: The survey area consisted of households within a 2.5-km radius of the Denka facility. Sixty percent of the households within 1.5 km of the facility (“Zone 1”) and 20% of the households between 1.5 and 2.5 km from the facility (“Zone 2”) were randomly sampled. Survey implementers collected information on cancer diagnoses about all residents of each surveyed household. Information on chloroprene-linked medical symptoms was collected about respondents (those who took the survey) only. Results: Cancer prevalence among the survey sample is (1) significantly higher than what is considered likely using Monte Carlo simulations based on Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results prevalence data (p = 0.0306); and (2) associated with proximity to the facility, with significantly higher-than-likely prevalence in Zone 1 (p = 0.0032) and lower prevalence in Zone 2. Levels of medical symptoms among respondents are high and also associated with proximity to the facility. Discussion: Our findings highlight the need for action to compel Denka to reduce chloroprene emissions to Environmental Protection Agency-recommended limits. Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with Cancer Alley communities' lived experiences of the debilitating health consequences of the area's industrial emissions. The burden of proof must shift to polluting industries.