cross-posted from Lousiana Bucket Brigade
“We are disgusted to hear of yet another chemical leak & fire, this time at Marathon Oil in Garyville, just a month after Dow’s explosion in Plaquemine. The fire was caused by a leak of naptha, a toxic form of raw petrol distilled from crude oil that may contain carcinogens.
The petrochemical industry is here in LA for one reason only: to make as much money as possible. As long as our state continues to look away from fires and mushroom clouds, accidents will continue.
Smoke billowing up from a fire at the Marathon Refinery in Gramercy LA as seen from Edgar, a town across the river. Just another day in Cancer Alley. Media being told the fire was contained to the site – but no mention of the chemicals that were not. More to follow @DeSmog pic.twitter.com/5DSZ4s0Z5d
— julie dermansky (@jsdart) August 25, 2023
Workers and residents are left to bear the brunt of the industry’s negligence and predatory expansion that continue to jeopardize our health and safety.
St. John’s govt. is already parroting Marathon’s claims that the chemical release & fire are contained and no off-site impacts are detected. This release is obviously far from contained. Nearby residents are reporting aggravated asthma and other respiratory symptoms.
St. John the Baptist Parish, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and all state officials owe Louisianans much more than simply broadcasting Marathon’s press release.
We will not stand for the continued spread of misinformation and attempts to cloud the truth—that the toxic chemicals in these refineries are hazardous to our health, and that the chemical industry routinely misleads us to evade accountability after major accidents.
The evacuation order has been lifted while firefighters continue to work to contain the blaze. HRW calls on government officials to ensure the continued safety of residents, provide regular monitoring and updates on air and water safety, and hold those responsible to account.
— Antonia Juhasz (@AntoniaJuhasz) August 25, 2023
We cannot permit more facilities that will continue to endanger workers and communities. What a disaster this is, and how dangerous for the workers in these plants. They deserve so much more.”
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