Is "Cancer Alley" real? (Lafayette, Kenner: how much, home, school)

[NOLA278]

Hi All, We are relocating this summer to Southeast Louisiana. My husband and I really like the Gonzales area but I'm scared of all the petrochemical plants along the Mississippi Corridor. What are locals saying? Any advice on where to find unbiased information? Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

[annie_himself]

I've never heard of it and I grew up near Gonzales.

[anothertiger]

Never heard it? Search for "Cancer Alley Louisiana". You will be surprised how much it has been discussed past a couple decades.

http://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/b...pdf?sequence=1

Here is one example. A MPA thesis from UT Austin.

[annie_himself]

Did a quick skim, doesn't look anyworse than Caddo, Calcasieu, Rapides, and Lafayette Parishes.

[fbbertusa]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

I've never heard of it and I grew up near Gonzales.

Sounds like lack of education to Me.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by fbbertusa

Sounds like lack of education to Me.

My highschool never taught us anything about it.

[fbbertusa]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

My highschool never taught us anything about it.

Neither did mine but if You lived in La. for any length of time You should have heard about it from the TV,Your parents (if living) neighbors,News print.It is about the biggest story in south La.over the past 75 Years.

[Innotech]

There are quite a few refineries in Southern Louisiana.
Most of them are along the Missisippi River.
There are also about a dozen loading racks which contain gasoline/diesel fuels spread throughout Louisiana, such as in Opelousas, Lake charles, Westlake, Meraux, chalmette, Kenner, Garyville, and Convent. There are several others up in the northern portions of the state. Basically, petrochemical plants and loading racks are EVERYWHERE.

[NOLA278]

Wow, I read that whole report from Anothertiger's link (thank you). Ascension Parish is high on our list and I'm totally shattered that these companies seem to have affected the health of the population so much. Scary stuff. Where else then? The North Shore? We were trying to avoid the high home prices there and the long commute to work!

[MetroBTR]

Sure, there's a higher incidence of cancer in residents very close to chemical plants. But I don't think it's dramatically higher. Don't expect to turn out like victim of Chernobyl just from living in Gonzales.