Generally, in the broad course of human history, if something is causing cancer, the human response has been to quickly and quietly get away from it.
But what if the source of cancer is nearly 100 miles long?
Along an 85-mile stretch of road in Louisiana, residents have seven times the cancer risk than the national average, have been diagnosed with chronic health conditions and babies are born underweight at three times the national average.
This road between Baton Rouge and New Orleans - on the banks of the Mississippi River - has been dubbed 'Cancer Alley' and the people with houses along it blame the high rates of illnesses on the place they live.
I do just want to stop here and offer a gentle word of advice for anyone living in an area that has been dubbed "Cancer Alley:"
I suppose it's easier said than done for a lot of people. In any event, what is causing all of this cancer down there?
Nobody is 100% sure — but this could very well have something to do with it:
The area is home to approximately 200 fossil fuel and petrochemical operations - the largest concentration of these facilities in the western hemisphere.
That could do it. A report from Human Rights Watch earlier this year, "accuses state and federal regulators of failing to properly monitor the industry" and its effects on local inhabitants.
That report ultimately found that "the area in the US with the highest risk of cancer due to industrial air pollution - more than seven times the national average - is located in Cancer Alley."
The problems extend beyond cancer:
Babies here are born underweight at three times the national average and are born prematurely at 2.5 times the national average. ...
Along with neighbors' stories of prostate, liver and breast cancer, mothers spoke about stillbirths, infertility, childhood asthma, bronchitis and chronic sinus infections.
Parents, meanwhile, have told stories of "keeping their children home from school and indoors because of poor air quality."
Data plots from Human Rights Watch shows the high concentration of cancer risks in the area:
Not sure what the exact solution is here but if I lived there I'd be making plans to move ASAP.
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