Shell Chemicals Geismar, Ascension Parish, Louisiana
The Shell Chemicals Plant, located near Geismar, Louisiana, belongs to the Royal Dutch / Shell Group, a global group of energy and chemical companies. This plant started in 1967 with the production of glycols and surfactants. Since its inception, the Geismar plant has expanded both its facilities and its production.
Products from the Shell Geismar Plant
This Shell facility manufactures a number of different petrochemicals that are in turn utilized for many other products. The main chemicals produced by Shell Chemicals Geismar and their later uses include:
- Ethoxylates – detergents, surfactants, personal care items, laundry products
- Ethylene glycols – plastic containers such as soda bottles, polyester fibers for clothing and surgical supplies, and car products like antifreeze
- Alpha olefins – drilling fluids, lubricants, detergents, film
“Cancer Alley”
Since 1987, the area along the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans has been nicknamed “Cancer Alley.” This is due to the high amount of toxic releases perpetrated in this area by numerous petrochemical plants, including Shell Chemicals Geismar. In fact, recent studies have found that Louisiana has one of the highest cancer rates in the United States.
Asbestos and Cancer
While the petrochemicals and toxic waste from these plants may be the cause of such a high cancer rate, another possible cause is the release of asbestos fibers. Many older chemical plants, especially those built before the 1980s, contain asbestos fibers for insulation. As these structures age, they can release the fibers into the atmosphere, which can later contribute to the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other serious health problems in those exposed to them.
For More Information
If you have lived or worked near a chemical plant, such as Shell Chemicals Geismar, you may want to talk to your doctor about your increased risk of cancer. To learn more about asbestos and its related health problems, please fill out the contact form located at the top of the page today and contact the asbestos lawyers of Williams Kherkher.
