Chemical Plants’ Toxic Emissions Targeted by EPA Proposal (1)

The EPA is aiming for a 6,000-ton reduction in highly toxic air emission releases in a proposal unveiled by the agency Thursday in St. John the Baptist Parish, La.

The Environmental Protection Agency plan takes aim at carcinogenic emissions in synthetic chemical manufacturing plants, including ethylene oxide, or EtO, and chloroprene.

Breathing in both chemicals, and others targeted in the proposal, can lead to a number of adverse health impacts, including short-term illness and cancer. The EPA estimates a 96% drop in cancer rates around regulated facilities if the rule is finalized.

“When I visited St. John the Baptist Parish ...