Posted on July 30, 2022

ADAO is excited to host an in-person educational community meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana for workers and their families who are or have been employed by Occidental Chemical, Olin, and Westlake Chemical Corporations in plants using asbestos diaphragms. Specific date and time coming soon! The meeting will focus on asbestos education, prevention, and advocacy.  In addition to our community meeting, I will be joined by the award-winning Occupational & Environmental Health photojournalist, Earl Dotter. We want to hear from local resident’s about how these Chlor-Alkali Plants have impacted their communities. During our visit, we will photograph the port, plants, and the communities surrounding these industrial facilities.. 

For those who work or live near these chlor alkali plants, this informational session is for you! However, all are welcome to join and participate in what is sure to be an eye-opening event. The meeting will also address common questions such as “What is asbestos? Where is it found? What can I do to prevent exposure and disease?” 

Below are the four chlor-alkali plants in Louisiana that import and use raw chrysotile asbestos in their production of industrial chlorine and caustic soda.

  • Occidental Chemical Corporation – Covent, LA 
  • Occidental Chemical Corporation – Taft, LA 
  • Olin Corporation – Plaquemine, LA 
  • Westlake Chemical Corporation – Plaquemine, LA 

ADAO will highlight valuable government resources to advance prevention, expand knowledge about workers safety from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and will share the early warning symptoms and treatment information from the National Cancer Institute.

Those living and working near chlor-alkali plants that import and use asbestos are at a higher risk of exposure and developing an asbestos-caused disease than other communities. The pathways to exposure presented by these chlor-alkali plants are dangerous and unnecessary. It’s time for the stories in these communities to be heard as we hold the industry accountable. It is ADAO’s vision that this community meeting will provide free access to relevant and valuable information, as well as the necessary educational resources and pathways for treatment to all those who are at risk and those who have been affected. 

Linda
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The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO),  a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not make legal referrals.