A new Tulane-led study shows that Black residents in Louisiana’s petrochemical corridor face the nation’s most extreme racial disparities in chemical industry employment, receiving disproportionate pollution but few of the jobs.
Tristan Baurick reports for Verite News.
In short:
- A Tulane University study found that people of color, especially Black residents, are underrepresented in petrochemical industry jobs nationwide, with Louisiana showing the most extreme disparities.
- In Louisiana, people of color make up 41% of the working-age population but hold just 21% of higher-paying and 33% of lower-paying chemical jobs, despite living in areas most impacted by industrial pollution.
- Industry groups dispute the findings, citing training programs, but the study found that education gaps do not explain the employment disparities, and tax breaks intended to boost job creation have yielded poor returns for communities.
Key quote:
“The amount of money they’re investing in schools and various programs pales in comparison to how much they’re profiting in our communities. We sacrifice so much and get so little in return.”
— Joy Banner, co-founder of the Descendants Project
Why this matters:
Louisiana’s petrochemical corridor, dubbed “Cancer Alley,” is one of the most heavily polluted regions in the United States. The area’s Black and low-income communities bear the brunt of toxic emissions, yet a new study reveals they are largely excluded from the economic benefits the industry promises. At the same time, companies are receiving millions in tax exemptions intended to spur job creation, while hiring practices and profits fail to uplift the very communities suffering the worst environmental harms. The situation is emblematic of a broader trend in environmental justice, where the burdens of pollution fall disproportionately on marginalized populations while the benefits — jobs, investment, and clean air — remain unevenly distributed.
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