Louisiana's toxic air pollution crisis is a stark reminder of the power of industry to protect its own interests at the expense of public health. Residents like Kimbrelle Kyereh, who live in close proximity to industrial facilities, are left in the dark about the air they breathe, while industry groups fight proposals for better monitoring. The state's public air monitors are often located miles from major industrial polluters and fail to test for some of the most dangerous chemicals. Industry groups have spent years fighting proposals for better monitoring and helped draft a law that sharply restricted how community air monitoring could be used in enforcement. The situation is dire, and the need for action is urgent. It is time for Louisiana to prioritize the health and safety of its residents over the interests of industry.
