LyondellBasell pollution toxics
Big Stock Photo

In a small French town where Houston-based LyondellBasell is a fixture, residents complain of unending pollution

Residents on the east side of Harris County, Texas, share a troubling connection with Berre-l’Étang in southern France: exposure to toxic chemicals from LyondellBasell, a major petrochemical company. Nazmul Ahasan reports for Grist.


In a nutshell:

Activists in both countries complain that regulators prioritize the economic well-being of polluting industries over the environment and public health. In Berre-l’Étang, flares from LyondellBasell's industrial complex caused thick clouds of toxic smoke, affecting nearby Marseille. Meanwhile, in Harris County, Texas, chemical releases led to injuries and prompted concerns among residents. Despite activism and lawsuits, the company's impact on these communities remains a pressing issue, revealing a troubling intersection of industrial interests and public health.

Key quote:

“Basically, the judge blamed residents for pollution by saying, ‘You had it coming,’” said Algrain, a climate activist who grew up in Berre-l’Étang. “Others are saying if you’re not happy with the way you’re living or the living conditions, you can just leave.”

The big picture:

Living near a petrochemical plant can expose residents to a range of potential health hazards. These include an increased risk of respiratory issues due to the release of pollutants like sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, which can irritate the airways and lead to breathing difficulties. Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals such as benzene and 1,3-butadiene, common emissions from petrochemical facilities, may elevate the risk of cancer. Carbon monoxide releases can cause symptoms like headaches and nausea, and long-term exposure may lead to chronic health problems. Residing in close proximity to such plants raises concerns about public health and underscores the need for stringent environmental regulations and safety measures.

Read the article at Grist.

Meet Cami Ferrell, EHN's new reporter focusing on petrochemical pollution in Texas.

environmental justice

LISTEN: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier

"In places where there are high minority populations they bear, by far, the most burden of deaths from tropical cyclones."

Dr. Robbie Parks joins the Agents of Change in Environmental Justice podcast for a bonus episode to discuss how hurricanes have become deadlier in recent years and how we can better protect vulnerable communities.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Here’s life on an expedition to track declining Arctic ice

Each September, the ice at the top of the world hits its lowest extent of the year. Researchers are studying how a warming climate is affecting a not-so-frozen ocean.
climate budgeting federal agencies
Photo by Tabrez Syed on Unsplash

White House directs agencies to account for climate change in budgets

The directive is intended to embed the cost of climate change into all federal agencies. But it is not legally binding and could come with legal and logistical challenges.
wildland firefighter climate mental health
Image by 12019 from Pixabay

A firefighter mental health crisis as wildfires rage on

Extreme working conditions, low pay and high turnover are leading to a crisis exacerbated by more intense wildfires. Eighteen firefighters tell their stories of the mental toll — from burnout to PTSD to the loss of peers to suicide.

hot days increase car accidents
Photo by Matt C on Unsplash

Hotter days are increasing car crashes and fatalities

On days when an oppressive sun strikes streets, temperatures spike and so do fatal car crashes.

A Pittsburgh architect’s daughters inspired him to focus on climate

The fight for a greener future often evokes cars, planes and power stations. But what about the homes we live in and offices we work in?
From our Newsroom
children nature

Opinion: When kids feel the magic of nature, they will want to protect it

Improving our quality of life starts with the simple of act of getting kids outdoors.

birds climate change

In the Gulf of Maine, scientists race to save seabirds threatened by climate change

“I could see that, if successful, the methods developed could likely help these species."

fracking economics

Appalachia’s fracking counties are shedding jobs and residents: Study

The 22 counties that produce 90% of Appalachian natural gas lost a combined 10,339 jobs between 2008 and 2021.

Marathon Petroleum y una ciudad de Texas muestran una  potencial crisis de comunicaciones sobre sustancias químicas

Marathon Petroleum y una ciudad de Texas muestran una potencial crisis de comunicaciones sobre sustancias químicas

En los últimos tres años, Marathon ha violado repetidamente la ley de Aire Limpio y tuvo tres emergencias en el semestre de febrero a julio de 2023.

WATCH: How Marathon Petroleum and one Texas city show the potential for a chemical communication crisis

WATCH: How Marathon Petroleum and one Texas city show the potential for a chemical communication crisis

Marathon in Texas City has repeatedly violated the Clean Air Act and had three emergencies in the span of a six month period.

air pollution heart attack

ER visits for heart problems plummeted after Pittsburgh coal processor shut down

Levels of one highly-toxic pollutant fell by 90% and ER visits for heart problems decreased by 42% immediately after the shutdown.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.