One reason why coronavirus hits Black people the hardest

Summary

This transcript explores the alarming environmental and health issues in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley,' a region heavily impacted by pollution from petrochemical plants. Predominantly Black communities suffer disproportionately high cancer rates, respiratory diseases, and Covid-19 deaths due to systemic inequalities tied to segregation, housing discrimination, and proximity to toxic industries. The script connects these health disparities to broader historical injustices, including slavery and redlining, while discussing the recent weakening of environmental protections, which exacerbates the vulnerability of these marginalized communities.

Takeaways

• 🏭 Cancer Alley is an 85-mile stretch of land between New Orleans and Baton Rouge with some of the highest cancer and respiratory disease rates in the country.
• 📊 In St. John the Baptist Parish, residents' risk of developing cancer is 50 times higher than the national average, and the area has one of the highest COVID-19 death rates.
• 🖤 The affected community is predominantly Black, reflecting a broader pattern of racial disparities in pollution exposure and health outcomes across the U.S.
• 💨 Louisiana has some of the most toxic air in the U.S. due to oil, gas, chemical, and plastics industries, with nearly 200 chemical plants and refineries along the Mississippi River.
• ⚠️ The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated significantly higher cancer risks in this area due to air toxicity, following the path of the petrochemical industry.
• 🌍 Black Americans are disproportionately exposed to higher levels of particle pollution, with the Black community near one chemical plant being 92%, despite the area being 58% Black.
• ⛓ The historical roots of these communities trace back to slavery and sharecropping, with petrochemical plants replacing plantations but still leaving Black residents marginalized.
• 🏚 Historically Black communities in the region have been subjected to pollution, poverty, and sickness, with corporations even buying out entire Black towns for industrial purposes.
• 📍 Across the U.S., toxic industries tend to be placed near communities of color, exacerbated by policies like redlining that have pushed polluters closer to marginalized neighborhoods.
• 📉 Long-term exposure to air pollution is linked to more severe COVID-19 outcomes, with preliminary studies showing higher COVID-19 death rates in counties with higher pollution levels.

Q & A

What is 'Cancer Alley' and where is it located?

'Cancer Alley' is an 85-mile stretch of land between New Orleans and Baton Rouge along the Mississippi River in Louisiana, known for its high rates of cancer and other health issues. It is home to around 200 chemical plants and oil refineries, contributing to toxic air pollution.

Why do communities in 'Cancer Alley' have disproportionately high rates of cancer and respiratory diseases?

The high rates of cancer and respiratory diseases in 'Cancer Alley' are largely attributed to the toxic air pollution from the oil, gas, chemical, and plastics industries. These industries emit carcinogens and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can cause severe health problems such as heart disease, asthma, and lung cancer.

How does air pollution in 'Cancer Alley' affect the predominantly Black communities?

The predominantly Black communities in 'Cancer Alley' are disproportionately exposed to toxic air pollution, as many of the chemical plants are located near their homes due to historical housing discrimination and segregation. This has led to a higher risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, and other health problems in these communities.

What is PM2.5 and how does it impact human health?

PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that is only a fraction of the width of a human hair. When inhaled, it can lodge deep in the lungs and bloodstream, leading to serious health problems like heart disease, asthma, and lung cancer.

How does the EPA's cancer risk estimates in this region compare to the rest of the country?

The EPA estimates that cancer risks from air toxicity in 'Cancer Alley' are significantly higher than in much of the rest of the country. This follows the path of the petrochemical industry and is especially concentrated in areas near chemical plants, disproportionately affecting Black communities.

What historical factors have contributed to the current environmental issues in 'Cancer Alley'?

The environmental issues in 'Cancer Alley' are rooted in historical housing discrimination, segregation, and the legacy of slavery. Many Black communities were established on or near former plantations, and when petrochemical plants replaced these plantations, they were placed near these historically Black areas, often without the input or consent of the residents.

How did redlining and residential segregation contribute to environmental injustice in the United States?

Redlining and residential segregation marked Black and Brown neighborhoods as less desirable, pushing industrial polluters like factories and highways closer to these communities. This has led to higher levels of air pollution and related health problems in historically marginalized areas.

How does zip code affect a person's health in the United States?

A person's zip code is a strong predictor of health and well-being. People living in areas with higher pollution levels, like those in historically redlined neighborhoods, tend to have worse health outcomes due to the proximity of polluting industries and lack of access to healthcare and healthy environments.

What role does air pollution play in the severity of COVID-19 cases in 'Cancer Alley'?

Air pollution, particularly long-term exposure to PM2.5, has been linked to more severe COVID-19 outcomes. In 'Cancer Alley,' Black communities that have long been exposed to toxic air pollution are at a higher risk of developing underlying health conditions like heart and respiratory diseases, making them more vulnerable to severe and deadly COVID-19 cases.

What were the effects of the Trump administration's suspension of clean air protections during the pandemic?

The Trump administration's suspension of clean air protections in March 2020 meant that petrochemical facilities in 'Cancer Alley' and other parts of the country faced no oversight on how much they polluted. This decision ignored the historical and ongoing environmental health risks in Black communities, exacerbating the impact of the pandemic.