Section 2.3 Cui Bono - Who Benefits?
Many areas in the United States have passed legislation and created regulations which limit the type of pollution which factories can release. Because of this, chemical and petroleum companies often try to find jurisdictions which are less likely to regulate their pollution, like those in Louisiana's Cancer Alley. These companies thus save the money that they would have needed to spend to mitigate pollution in other areas. Major companies that have factories and refineries in Cancer Alley include Chevron, DuPont, Exxon Mobil, and Shell [2.10.1.14].
The products produced at these plants are used by factories to create the products that we use, like plastics, building materials, and cleaning supplies. While we are not individually responsible, it is important to think about the role that our consumption plays in encouraging the type of pollution we see in Cancer Alley.