April 14, 2023

Source: Axios

Excerpt:

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that it has filed a lawsuit against a chemicals manufacturer in Louisiana over hazardous emissions from its manufacturing facility and their threat to public health in the nearby majority-Black community.

Driving the news: The plant operated by Denka Performance Elastomer LLC is heightening cancer risks by producing high levels of chloroprene emissions, alleges the complaint, which was filed on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Details: Chloroprene is a liquid raw material used to produce synthetic rubber, which is in turn used to produce goods including laptop sleeves, wetsuits and hoses. It is emitted into the air from various areas of Denka’s facility in LaPlace, Louisiana.

Read more: DOJ sues chemical manufacturer in Louisiana over high cancer risks