Louisiana refines up to a fifth of the nation's petroleum and manufacturers a quarter of its petrochemicals. The state's 19 refineries make it second only to Texas in refining capacity, while Louisiana's petrochemical industry is valued at around $14 billion. Together, the two industries provide almost 40,000 jobs.
But all that wealth also comes at a price. Refining and petrochemical production involve enormous quantities of toxic materials, with many Louisiana residents living in close proximity to refineries and chemical plants. Use the dropdown menu to explore the geography of race, social class, and toxic risk across Louisiana's 64 parishes.
Spatial data provided by the US Census Bureau. Statistical data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.