Angela Hackel

Master of Arts

Environmental Studies

Citizen Perspectives on Environmental Health Hazards in “Cancer Alley”

Executive Summary

“Cancer Alley” is the 107-mile corridor from Baton Rouge to New Orleans that is home to a large number of industrial facilities, waste treatment centers, and hazardous waste dumps. As a result of the intense industrialization of the area residents have seen an increase in the incidence of adverse health outcomes like cancer, asthma, rashes, and staph infections. Government and non-government agencies have come into the communities of “Cancer Alley” and conducted health studies. This thesis examines how residents perceive the risks of living in “Cancer Alley” both to the natural environment and to their health. It also studies how residents evaluate the way health studies have been conducted.

The research questions in which this thesis addresses are: 1). How do residents describe the impacts of living in close proximity to industry on the natural environment and on the quality of their environmental health? 2). How do community members perceive health studies conducted in the region? 3). What recommendations do citizens living in “Cancer Alley” have to improve health studies conducted in the region and to better their quality of life?

This thesis begins by addressing the impacts of Hurricane Katrina and the effects of the crisis on the environment and on other social issues. Next, the environmental justice movement is introduced focusing on the national and local Louisiana struggles that began to define the movement. The notion of what constitutes a community is discussed, followed by an overview of two key environmental justice struggles in Grand Bois, Louisiana and NORCO (Diamond), Louisiana. The different types of studies and tools used to assess health risks are also examined. Finally, community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods are outlined in the context of the struggles occurring in “Cancer Alley.”

The research questions are addressed by interviewing twelve residents from “Cancer Alley” about their perceptions of and experiences with health studies. Also, an input group with four community leaders was conducted in order to gain residents’ perspectives on a health studies guide created by Boston University’s School of Public Health. Information was gathered about how residents view current environmental polices and their perceptions of environmental health. This was done by participating in alternative dispute resolution trainings conducted by the Southeast Community Resource Center (SCRC) in four parishes in “Cancer Alley.” Citizen perspectives on the environment and health studies were also gathered through informal observations.

Findings of the interviews and input group are examined in context with theoretical information available. Residents’ recommendations for improving the quality of life in “Cancer Alley” and for making health studies more accessible to community members are discussed. This thesis concludes by presenting recommendations for improving health studies geared to both citizens and outside researchers. These recommendations take into account the perspectives and struggles of community members while also considering the limitations of science and the view points of outside researchers.