ExxonMobil estimates that it accidentally released 28,700 pounds of naphtha at its Baton Rouge site June 14. Naptha contains the hazardous chemical benzene, a carcinogen recognized by the EPA. When ExxonMobil first reported the release to the state Department of Environmental Quality last week, it only reported a 10-pound spill.…
A steam explosion at a fertilizer factory in Pascagoula, Mississippi last week tragically killed one worker and left two other workers injured. Authorities continue to search for the cause of the accident. This accident marks the second fatal explosion at a plant in this area in a two-week-period. Factories, chemical…
Three bills addressing lead contamination in schools, day care centers and playgrounds passed in the Louisiana Legislature last week. Upon the governor’s signature, Senate Bills 200, 201 and 211 will require new schools, day care centers and playgrounds to be inspected for lead contamination. The inspection results will then be…
Four FEMA contractors agreed to pay $5 million to gulf coast victims in a class action settlement last week. The settlement stems from pooled claims alleging gulf coast residents’ exposure to increased levels of formaldehyde in FEMA trailers after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Formaldehyde is a chemical that is a…
An elevator malfunction at the Chateau Bourbon Wyndham in New Orleans injured a Mississippi woman. When returning to her car in the hotel parking garage, the elevator stopped between the 3rd and 4th floors, trapping Jackson inside. In addition to enduring extreme heat while trapped inside, Ms. Jackson suffered fear,…
A small private plane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico last week, tragically killing the pilot, the sole person on board. While in flight, the pilot became unresponsive to air traffic control. The plane soon began to fly erratically in circles before crashing into the Gulf of Mexico. Investigators are…
Louisiana lawmakers stalled a controversial bill this session that would have provided heightened protection to whistleblowers in the state. House Bill 364, authored by Rep. Walt Leger of New Orleans, purports to broadly prohibit employers in the state from taking any retaliatory action against an employee who blows the whistle…
An eight year old Hammond girl was attacked by pit bulls while playing with a friend in late April. She suffered a torn artery in her leg and bites to her neck, legs, arms, and face. She underwent eight hours of surgery following the attack. The dog owners have been…
A Massachusetts cyclist died in a crash believed to be caused by a defect in the bicycle. Police believe the fork-the portion of the frame that holds the front wheel- separated from the bicycle, causing the crash and killing the father of three. The fork on the bicycle was the…
An increase in the number of sports related traumatic brain injuries has many neurological surgeons and families of athletes concerned with the quality of protective gear. The Brain Injury Resource Center estimates 300,000 traumatic brain injuries a year are sports-related with concussions being the most common. The American Association of…