Cancer rates in Greater BR (Livingston, Ascension) (Baton Rouge, Denham Springs: subdivisions, living in)

[innovator82]

I was wondering if people living in the Greater Baton Rouge area in places like Denham Springs, Prairieville, Gonzales, etc. really have concern about cancer rates in the area. I am less familiar with BR then I am NOLA but am looking into possible areas in BR to live. As others not familiar with the area have done, I've read about the so-called "Cancer Alley" thing and am just wondering if this really is a concern for the typical suburban BR family.

Thanks.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by innovator82

I was wondering if people living in the Greater Baton Rouge area in places like Denham Springs, Prairieville, Gonzales, etc. really have concern about cancer rates in the area. I am less familiar with BR then I am NOLA but am looking into possible areas in BR to live. As others not familiar with the area have done, I've read about the so-called "Cancer Alley" thing and am just wondering if this really is a concern for the typical suburban BR family.

Thanks.

It's more of a joke than (IMO) something to lose sleep over for most. For one thing, the plants tend to be concentrated in specific locations (like along the Miss River between BR and NO). For another thing, the Clean Air Act has tightened things up in terms of emissions.

Therefore, I wouldn't let the concept of "Cancer Alley" deter you from moving to BR - most decent subdivisions in the area are nowhere near the plants and you won't notice the smell UNLESS a strong cold front from the north pushes the "petrochemical smell" to the southeast.

[MetroBTR]

I think the incidence of cancer is higher overall that in other parts of the country, but that comes with the territory when the economy relies so heavily on the chemical and petroleum industry. The incidence in Livingston is probably lower because they don't have chemical plants coming out the wazoo like, say, Iberville Parish.

Overall, I would say that this is not a big problem unless you worked in these plants and were heavily exposed to cancer-causing agents for a long period of time.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by MetroBTR

The incidence in Livingston is probably lower because they don't have chemical plants coming out the wazoo like, say, Iberville Parish.

Which is a relevant point. The plants are concentrated in Iberville, Ascension (near the Miss river, anyway), St James, St John, St Charles, and our own East Baton Rouge.