Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Site description

The parish of Calcasieu lies within the southwestern part of the state of Louisiana and has a population of over 183,000. This is a heavily industrialized area that has been active since the 1920's, consisting of an array of petrochemical and other facilities that produce a wide variety of industrial chemicals and products. Concern within the community over accidental releases of contaminants is significant relative to the permitted releases and, therefore community members feel permitted emissions do not truly reflect actual emissions in the Parish.

Community organization seeking assistance

Calcasieu League for Environmental Action Now (CLEAN)

Summary of assistance (through September, 2005)

In March 2003, TOSC met with environmental activist Wilma Subra to discuss collaboration on a study for members of the Calcasieu League for Environmental Action Now (CLEAN) investigating accidental and fugitive toxic air emissions by industries in Calcasieu Parish. The research focuses on determining the significance of accidental releases to regulated permit limits established by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). TOSC has investigated a number of reports submitted to LDEQ by these facilities for comparison with permit conditions and normal emission rates.

This study will not only provide data about these accidental releases but it will also allow TOSC to develop a model (or tool) for other communities to use when interested in researching this type of information for facilities in their area. Through personally researching this information, communities will become knowledgeable about the data they have collected. This will allow the community-at large to better understand the nature and extent of emissions to which they might be exposed, and therefore, will be a more informed participant in environmental decisions regarding their community.

TOSC signed a letter of agreement with CLEAN in June 2003 detailing the scope of this study. TOSC is researching information on 20 facilities in Calcasieu Parish. With some direction from LDEQ and Wilma Subra, TOSC has accessed several annual reports and other documents that will help bring this project to a close. TOSC obtained some permit information from these facilities to compare the permitted amounts to actual releases and worked with LDEQ in researching information for this study.

In September of 2004, TOSC had a meeting with LDEQ to resolve lingering retrieval problems with the LDEQ public records database and FOIA requests. LDEQ helped TOSC to obtain some of this information but many of the records were not easily accessible. TOSC is researching information on 20 facilities in Calcasieu Parish, while continuing to work with LDEQ and EPA in gathering information for this study. TOSC is working to wrap up this study and present the community with the findings.