Cancer Alley residents face extreme health risks from industrial pollution

The 85-mile corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana, known as ‘Cancer Alley,’ faces severe health challenges due to industrial expansion. The region, which spans nine parishes along the Mississippi River, contains approximately 200 gas and chemical plants, many of which are located on or near former plantations.

Residents, particularly within Black communities, report high rates of asthma, diabetes, and cancer. Shamell Lavigne, chief operating officer for the environmental advocacy group RISE St. James, noted that some streets face extreme conditions, with one instance where 80 percent of residents are living with cancer or have lost family members to the disease.

Research indicates that the cancer risk in this corridor is the highest in the United States. A 2023 study found that reported emissions of common industrial pollutants are seven to 21 times higher in communities of color than in white communities. ProPublica has identified these areas as ‘sacrifice zones,’ characterized by high levels of pollution from industrial production.