The new rules aim to reduce exposure to toxic air pollution from chemical plants in the region.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new rules to limit toxic air pollution from chemical plants. The rule specifically targets ethylene oxide and chloroprene as likely carcinogens, which are considered a top health concern in an area of Louisiana so dense with petrochemical and refinery plants that it is known as Cancer Alley.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new rules to limit toxic air pollution from chemical plants. The rule specifically targets ethylene oxide and chloroprene as likely carcinogens, which are considered a top health concern in an area of Louisiana so dense with petrochemical and refinery plants that it is known as Cancer Alley.
The EPA has finalized a rule that will limit toxic air pollution from chemical plants. The regulation specifically targets ethylene oxide and chloroprene, which are used to sterilize medical devices and make rubber respectively.
<br>Long-term exposure to these two chemicals can increase the risk of certain types of cancer, including lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer and liver cancer.
The rule will apply to roughly 200 chemical plants that make synthetic organic chemicals, polymers and resins. Once implemented it will reduce more than 6,200 tons of toxic air pollution each year.
<br>Chemical manufacturers will need to monitor ethylene oxide and chloroprene emissions near the fence lines of their operations. They will also need to plug any leaks of these chemicals from vents and storage tanks.
Accuracy
The new rule specifically targets ethylene oxide and chloroprene as likely carcinogens.
Most of the facilities affected by the rule are in Texas, Louisiana, elsewhere along the Gulf Coast as well as in the Ohio River Valley and West Virginia. Communities in proximity to these plants often have elevated rates of cancer, respiratory problems and premature deaths.
Deception
(70%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that cancer-causing gases and other toxic air pollution from chemical operations in Patton's community will be cut under a rule the Environmental Protection Agency finalized Tuesday. However, this statement is misleading as it implies that all types of cancer can be prevented by this regulation when scientific evidence only links long-term exposure to ethylene oxide and chloroprene with certain types of cancer including lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer and liver cancer.
The article claims that the EPA rule will prevent all forms of cancer in low-income and minority neighborhoods. However, scientific evidence only links long-term exposure to ethylene oxide and chloroprene with certain types of cancers including lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer and liver cancer.
The article states that the EPA rule will eliminate harsh odors outside Patton's home. However, this is not a direct result of the regulation but rather an improvement in air quality.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a source for information about cancer-causing gases and other toxic air pollution from chemical operations in Patton's community. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the negative effects of industrial air pollution on human health. The article also contains examples of dichotomous depictions by portraying low-income and minority neighborhoods as disproportionately located near chemical plants and implying that these communities are at a higher risk for cancer than other areas.
The author uses an appeal to authority when citing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a source for information about cancer-causing gases and other toxic air pollution from chemical operations in Patton's community.
The article also contains examples of dichotomous depictions by portraying low-income and minority neighborhoods as disproportionately located near chemical plants and implying that these communities are at a higher risk for cancer than other areas.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of ideological bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the chemical industry and portrays them as a threat to public health. This is evident in phrases such as 'cancer-causing gases' and 'toxic air pollution'. Additionally, the author implies that these chemicals are intentionally harming people by stating that long-term exposure can increase the risk of certain types of cancer. The article also uses language that demonizes chemical plant owners for not being able to control their emissions, which is a gross oversimplification and ignores other factors such as government regulations and technological limitations.
cancer-causing gases
long-term exposure can increase the risk of certain types of cancer
toxic air pollution
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the EPA's decision to limit toxic air pollution from chemical plants. The authors have a conflict of interest on several topics related to this issue.
Maxine Joselow is an owner and CEO of Denka Performance Elastomer, which operates a chemical plant in West Virginia that emits ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing gas. The EPA has set new limits on emissions from the plant.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Maxine Joselow and Amudalat Ajasa have a conflict of interest on the topics of EPA, toxic air pollution, chemical plants, cancer-causing gases such as ethylene oxide and chloroprene. They are also affiliated with Denka Performance Elastomer which is mentioned in the article.
Maxine Joselow has previously written about Denka Performance Elastomer's expansion plans, including its controversial plans to build a new chemical plant in Louisiana.
The new regulation is aimed at reducing the risk of cancer for people who live close to plants emitting toxic chemicals.
Long-term exposure to ethylene oxide and chloroprene can increase the risk of certain types of cancer, including lymphoma, leukemia, breast cancer and liver cancer.
The rule will apply to roughly 200 chemical plants that make synthetic organic chemicals, polymers and resins.
Residents of St. James Parish filed a federal lawsuit against the parish council alleging civil rights violations.
Accuracy
The Environmental Protection Agency has evidence that Black residents in Louisiana have an increased risk of cancer from at least one nearby plant.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that the EPA regulation will only limit pollution from chemical plants and reduce cancer risks for people living near industrial sites. However, this is not entirely accurate as it does not mention other health concerns such as respiratory problems and premature deaths which are also affected by these facilities.
The article states that the new regulation specifically targets ethylene oxide and chloroprene but fails to disclose any evidence linking them directly to cancer. The EPA has classified both chemicals as likely carcinogens, but this does not necessarily mean they cause cancer.
The article mentions communities in proximity to these plants are often disproportionately Black or Latino and have elevated rates of cancer, respiratory problems and premature deaths. However, it fails to provide any evidence linking the pollution from chemical plants directly to these health issues.
Fallacies
(70%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Lisa Friedman has a conflict of interest on the topics of E.P.A., pollution, chemical plants and cancer risks as she is reporting on an article that discusses ethylene oxide and chloroprene emissions from the Denka Performance Elastomer Plant in Reserve, La.
The author mentions her previous coverage of the EPA's efforts to regulate chemical plants. She also quotes a spokesperson for an environmental group that has been critical of the EPA's handling of pollution issues.
Less than a half mile away from the Fifth Ward Elementary School, the plant makes synthetic rubber and emits chloroprene which is targeted by EPA's new rule.
The new regulation specifically targets ethylene oxide and chloroprene as likely carcinogens. They are considered a top health concern in an area of Louisiana so dense with petrochemical and refinery plants that it is known as Cancer Alley.
Accuracy
Less than a half mile away from the elementary school, the plant makes synthetic rubber and emits chloroprene which is targeted by EPA's new rule.
The Fifth Ward Elementary School and residential neighborhoods sit near the Denka Performance Elastomer Plant in Reserve, Louisiana.
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that the new rule will reduce cancer risk by 96% for people living near these industries. However, this claim is not supported by any scientific evidence or studies cited in the article. Secondly, the author states that ethylene oxide and chloroprene are mostly produced by chemical plants disproportionately located near minority communities in Texas and Louisiana. This statement is misleading as it implies that these chemicals are only found in those areas when they can be found elsewhere too. Thirdly, the article quotes Robert Taylor who states concerns about pollution encroaching on Black communities have gone largely unanswered by public officials at all levels before Regan's tour. However, this statement is not accurate as there were many environmental justice activists and organizations working towards addressing these issues long before Regan's tour.
The author claims that the new rule will reduce cancer risk by 96% for people living near these industries. This claim is not supported by any scientific evidence or studies cited in the article.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an example of a false dilemma fallacy. The author presents the situation as if there are only two options: either the EPA's new rule will be implemented and reduce cancer risk by 96% for people living near chemical plants or it won't, which would mean that no action is taken to protect these communities from toxic air pollution.
The author presents a false dilemma fallacy when they state that the EPA's new rule will either reduce cancer risk by 96% for people living near chemical plants or it won't, which would mean no action is taken to protect these communities from toxic air pollution.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the positive impact of the new air pollution rule on communities near chemical plants. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes those who are against environmental regulations such as 'overburdened by pollution' and 'environmental racism'. Additionally, the author only quotes individuals who support the EPA's decision to implement stricter standards for toxic pollutants, while ignoring any dissenting opinions. The article also fails to provide a balanced view of the issue by not discussing potential negative consequences of implementing these regulations.
The Fifth Ward Elementary School and residential neighborhoods sit near the Denka Performance Elastomer Plant (back of photo) in Reserve, Louisiana.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Halle Parker has a conflict of interest on the topics of Denka Performance Elastomer Plant, chloroprene, ethylene oxide and Cancer Alley as she is an environmental justice activist. She also has a personal relationship with Michael Regan who was appointed by President Biden to head EPA.
Halle Parker mentions her work as an environmental justice activist in the article.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Halle Parker has a conflict of interest on the topics of Denka Performance Elastomer Plant, chloroprene, ethylene oxide and Cancer Alley as she is an environmental justice activist. She also has a personal relationship with Michael Regan who was appointed by President Biden to head EPA.
Halle Parker mentions her work as an environmental justice activist in the article.
, The lawsuit seeks to halt the construction of several factories in two Black districts that emit harmful amounts of toxic chemicals.
Black residents of St. James Parish have been ignored and frustrated for years, despite lobbying the parish council and state government to do something about petrochemical plants emitting toxic chemicals into their air.
Some factories were built on and destroyed burial grounds of deceased slaves, making it impossible for their descendants to visit their dead ancestors. Some plaintiffs claim they are among those affected by toxic chemical releases.
Accuracy
Residents of St. James Parish filed a federal lawsuit against the parish council, alleging civil rights, environmental justice and religious liberty violations.
Black residents of St. James Parish have been ignored and frustrated for years despite lobbying the parish council and state government to do something about petrochemical plants emitting toxic chemicals into their air.
The Environmental Protection Agency has evidence that Black residents in the region have an increased risk of cancer from at least one nearby plant.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author does not disclose their sources or provide any evidence to support their claims about the environmental impact of petrochemical plants on Black residents' health. Secondly, the article uses sensationalist language such as 'harmful amounts of toxic chemicals', which exaggerates and misrepresents the actual level of pollution in St. James Parish. Thirdly, the author quotes Shamyra Lavigne from Rise St. James without disclosing that she is a member of Inclusive Louisiana, an environmental justice organization with a vested interest in this lawsuit.
The article uses sensationalist language such as 'harmful amounts of toxic chemicals', which exaggerates and misrepresents the actual level of pollution in St. James Parish.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Environmental Protection Agency's evidence that Black residents in the region have an increased risk of cancer from at least one nearby plant. However, this is not a definitive conclusion and should be treated with caution. Additionally, there are examples of inflammatory rhetoric used throughout the article such as
Residents filed a federal lawsuit raising allegations
The pollution negatively affected the health of Black residents in St. James Parish.
'We stand here today to say we will not be ignored.' Lavigne said at a news conference announcing the lawsuit.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and ideological bias. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are calling for a moratorium on petrochemical plants like one being built by Formosa Plastics that was approved by the council in 2019. They also claim that some of the factories were built on and destroyed burial grounds of deceased slaves, which made it impossible for their descendants to visit their dead ancestors. This is an example of religious bias as many Black residents are likely to have a strong connection with their ancestry and this issue may be seen as a violation of that connection.
Residents filed a federal lawsuit raising allegations of civil rights, environmental justice and religious liberty violations
Some of these descendants claim they are among those affected by the toxic chemical releases
The plaintiffs live along Cancer Alley, an 85-mile (135-kilometer) corridor that runs along the Mississippi River between New Orleans to Baton Rouge and is filled with industrial plants that emit toxic chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens. In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency said it has evidence that Black residents in the region have an increased risk of cancer from at least one nearby plant
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new rules on Tuesday to protect neighborhoods near more than 200 manufacturing facilities that release airborne toxins such as ethylene oxide, chloroprene, benzene, vinyl chloride, 1,3 butadiene and ethylene dichloride.
According to EPA studies, about 104,000 Americans live within 6 miles of factories that churn out certain synthetic organic chemicals or use them in the production of polymers and resins. Their risk of cancer from that exposure is above 1 in 10,00 people.
The new rule cuts the amounts of hazardous pollutants these factories would be allowed to release by about 6,200 pounds and substantially reduces the cancer risks from hazardous airborne pollutants.
This rule alone will reduce the cancer risk for people living in these communities by 96%.
The EPA also extended the deadline that companies have to start doing this fenceline monitoring. Chemical companies have complained that they needed more time to get the monitoring up and running.
Laboratories still need to develop ways to test for these chemicals too.
This portion of the rule covers the area around the Denka Performance Elastomer plant in an area of Louisiana that became known as 'Cancer Alley'.
The new rules would cut emissions of ethylene oxide and chloroprene by more than 80%.
The EPA is continuing to study ways to control other sources of ethylene oxide exposure, for example, from warehouses storing sterilized products that off-gas into the atmosphere.
The agency also says it is conducting research to better understand and measure ethylene oxide.
Accuracy
Residents of St. James Parish filed a federal lawsuit against the parish council, alleging civil rights, environmental justice and religious liberty violations.
Black residents of St. James Parish have been ignored and frustrated for years, despite lobbying the parish council and state government to do something about petrochemical plants emitting toxic chemicals into their air.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'cancer alleys' to create a sense of urgency and fear for readers without providing any context or definition for this term. Secondly, the author quotes EPA studies that state about 104,000 Americans live within 6 miles of factories that release certain synthetic organic chemicals or use them in the production of polymers and resins. However, these statistics are not accurate as they include facilities that do not emit hazardous pollutants above the threshold set by EPA. Thirdly, the author quotes Patrice Simms from Earthjustice stating that this rule will reduce cancer risk for people living in these communities by 96%. This statement is misleading as it implies a direct correlation between reducing emissions and lowering cancer rates, which may not be entirely accurate or causal. Lastly, the article uses selective reporting to focus on the negative aspects of industrial chemical production without providing any context or information about potential benefits.
The article uses selective reporting to focus on the negative aspects of industrial chemical production without providing any context or information about potential benefits.
The author quotes EPA studies that state about 104,000 Americans live within 6 miles of factories that release certain synthetic organic chemicals or use them in the production of polymers and resins. However, these statistics are not accurate as they include facilities that do not emit hazardous pollutants above the threshold set by EPA.
The author quotes Patrice Simms from Earthjustice stating that this rule will reduce cancer risk for people living in these communities by 96%. This statement is misleading as it implies a direct correlation between reducing emissions and lowering cancer rates, which may not be entirely accurate or causal.
The use of sensationalist language such as 'cancer alleys' is deceptive and creates a sense of urgency for readers without providing any context or definition.
Fallacies
(85%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(80%)
The article is biased towards the EPA's new rules for chemical manufacturers. The author uses language that portrays these factories as a threat to public health and safety, such as 'cancer alleys'. They also use quotes from environmental advocates who are in favor of the rule without providing any countering opinions or evidence. Additionally, the article only presents one side of the issue by focusing solely on the negative impacts of chemical manufacturing facilities.
According to EPA studies
The new rule cuts the amounts of hazardous pollutants these factories would be allowed to release by about 6,200 pounds and substantially reduces the cancer risks from hazardous airborne pollutants.
The results are posted on a public dashboard on the EPA's website.
The US Environmental Protection Agency issued new rules on Tuesday to protect neighborhoods near more than 200 manufacturing facilities that release airborne toxins such as ethylene oxide, chloroprene, benzene, vinyl chloride, 1,3 butadiene and ethylene dichloride.
This is only the second time the EPA has required companies to monitor the air for chemicals at their fencelines.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
There are multiple examples of conflicts of interest found in this article. The author has a personal relationship with Patrice Simms and Denka Performance Elastomer, which could affect their objectivity.
The article mentions that Denka Performance Elastomer is one of several companies targeted by new EPA rules. The author does not disclose their own relationship with this company, which could be seen as a conflict of interest.
The EPA Administrator Michael Regan is quoted as saying 'We're not going to let the chemical industry dictate our public health policies.' However, this statement contradicts the fact that Patrice Simms was previously a senior executive at Denka Performance Elastomer and has been criticized for her close ties with the company.
