For years, the residents of McIntosh, Alabama have been grappling with chronic illnesses that they believe are a direct result of exposure to hazardous chemicals from nearby chemical plants. Lanier Isom reports for Al Jazeera, shedding light on the struggles faced by this community.
Residents in McIntosh have been suffering from a range of health problems such as cancer and respiratory issues. They are convinced that the root cause of these illnesses is the decades of chemical exposure they have experienced due to the presence of companies like Olin and BASF in their area. The community has filed lawsuits against these companies and there are federal mandates in place for cleanup.
The residents of McIntosh are now calling for more studies and demanding accountability from the chemical plants in an effort to put an end to their suffering and neglect. Wendy Olson, a hospice director and legal nurse consultant, expressed concern over the cycle of debilitating diseases affecting multiple generations of McIntosh residents.
This story highlights the critical role that environmental justice plays in ensuring that vulnerable communities like McIntosh are not unfairly burdened with the consequences of hazardous waste and toxic substances in their environment. It also underscores how these issues can impact communities across the country, such as disproportionately affected Latino communities in Texas facing chemical emergencies.
