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Ethylene Oxide Levels 1,000 Times Over Safe Limits in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley', Study Finds

Jun 11, 2024, 03:27 PM

A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers has revealed that the air in Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley' is significantly more toxic than previously thought. The study found that levels of the carcinogenic gas ethylene oxide in the area exceeded safe limits by 1,000 times, posing substantial cancer risks, especially to children living near production sites. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified long-term exposure to inhaled ethylene oxide gas as a cancer risk, a stance that has been challenged by the chemical industry. Industry groups have also criticized the EPA for exceeding its authority in requiring cleanup of drinking water contaminated with PFAS chemicals, which are linked to cancer and other health risks. Experts have identified five factors contributing to this public health crisis.