Black Louisianans Face Health Risks Amid Oil Disaster Cleanup Delays

Five weeks after an explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland, Louisiana, Black residents continue to live amid thick oil slicks and chemical odors along the Tangipahoa River. Many report sleepless nights, headaches, and anxiety over exposure to hazardous substances. Federal and state cleanup crews have deployed booms and barriers, but work has been delayed due to funding issues and safety threats, including a gun incident targeting workers.

Independent testing found roughly 30 toxins in local soil, yet the EPA has not tested residents’ properties. The cleanup, largely funded by Superfund dollars, has ballooned from $6 million to $40 million. Proposed federal budget cuts could further jeopardize cleanup programs, staff, and technical capacity. Residents and advocates warn that vulnerable Black communities face disproportionate long-term health risks from industrial disasters and hazardous waste. “It is time critical, as people are reporting negative health effects every day,” community members stated, calling for faster and more thorough federal action.

01-10-2025