The Latest On: Petrochemicals
Emma Cheuse, Attorney, Washington, D.C., Office, Earthjustice: “The science shows that communities are facing unacceptable threats of cancer and other diseases from these chemical plants’ pollution. The critical question for EPA to answer in the process is what will it do to finally and truly help communities still facing this injustice?”
Corinne Van Dalen, Attorney, Fossil Fuels Program, Earthjustice: “It’s a big deal because ethylene oxide is a potent carcinogen. It is 400 times more potent than benzene…While the rest of the country is figuring out how to deal with ethylene oxide and there aren’t that many places in the country that have these sources that emit it…Meanwhile, the state of Louisiana is allowing what would be possibly the biggest new source or biggest source in the country of ethylene oxide to be built one mile from an elementary school.”
Cyndhia Ramatchandirane, Staff Scientist, Fossil Fuels Program, Earthjustice: “The pandemic slowed some things down, but business as usual is still kind of happening. Facilities are still operating. Many communities, especially communities of color and low-income communities, continued to be impacted by emissions from fossil fuels and petrochemical facilities.”
Emma Cheuse, Attorney, Washington, D.C., Office, Earthjustice: “It’s pretty shocking that the EPA has done nothing for people exposed to these chemical plants more than two years after that announcement of that important finding.”
