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Science & Technology
Scientists move step closer to solving mystery of America's 'cancer alley' - an 80-mile stretch where death and disease is rampant
2024-06-14
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Scientists investigating a cancer hotspot in Louisiana have made a key finding that may partially explain the high rates of disease.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found extremely high levels of a carcinogen in the air across 85 miles along the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, which has been dubbed 'cancer alley.'

Tests carried out last year found residents are breathing in a colorless, flammable gas known as ethylene oxide up to 20 times higher from January 31 through February 26 than what was previously thought - and about 1,000 times more than the safe level.

There are over 200 local fossil fuel factories and chemical plants in cancer alley, where some counties have recorded that toxic air pollution causes 85 cancer cases per year.


Posted by:Skidmark

#5  It's better to live up river of dozens of major metro areas than down from them. Just saying.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2024-06-14 10:49  

#4  I've never considered near chemical plants as a desirable place to be. Even when I was making parts for them.
Posted by: ed in texas   2024-06-14 07:58  

#3  National Library of Medicine - Proximity to Oil Refineries and Risk of Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis
Posted by: Besoeker   2024-06-14 07:37  

#2  Somewhat related, I thought - Ethylene is widely used in the chemical industry, and its worldwide production (over 150 million tonnes in 2016[8]) exceeds that of any other organic compound.[9][10] Much of this production goes toward creating polythene, which is a widely used plastic containing polymer chains of ethylene units.

Ethylene is also an important natural plant hormone and is used in agriculture to induce ripening of fruits.[11] The hydrate of ethylene is ethanol.

So ethylene hydrate is good for you!
Posted by: Bobby   2024-06-14 07:32  

#1  Our Current Understanding of Ethylene Oxide (EtO)
Ethylene Oxide (EtO) is a Colorless Gas

Because children’s bodies are growing, they are expected to be more susceptible to the toxic effects caused by EtO. This is because EtO is mutagenic, meaning it can damage DNA. As children grow, they tend to be more susceptible to the harmful effects caused by chemicals, including chemicals that are mutagenic. For anyone, including children, risks would decrease with decreased exposure.

Posted by: Besoeker   2024-06-14 06:50  

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