An Alabama town plagued by chronic illnesses is demanding accountability from nearby chemical plants, raising questions about environmental justice and health impacts.
Lanier Isom reports for Al Jazeera.
In short:
- Residents of McIntosh, Alabama, link their health problems, including cancer and respiratory issues, to decades of chemical exposure from nearby plants.
- Chemical companies Olin and BASF face lawsuits and federal mandates for cleanup due to hazardous waste dumping and toxic leaks.
- The community is now advocating for further studies and accountability, hoping to end generations of suffering and environmental neglect.
Key quote:
“What I’m seeing now is continuous generations of McIntosh residents diagnosed with debilitating and end-of-life diseases which both the parents and grandparents died from."
— Wendy Olson, hospice director, legal nurse consultant and bioethicist
Why this matters:
Understanding the link between industrial pollution and health issues is crucial for protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring environmental justice. This story speaks to the broader issue of how marginalized groups are often disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. Read more: Texas has more chemical emergencies than any other state and they’re disproportionately affecting Latino communities.
