Mile 204.8 LBD — Shintec Louisiana Plaquemine PVC Plant
These two large facilities produce chlorvinyl chemicals, primarily for the manufacture of PVC, with Shintech Corp having the dubious distinction of being the world’s largest producer of PVC. Along with the Dow Chemical and other Shintech facilities in the area, a large amount of the nation’s chlorovinyls and PVC are manufactured in this area. Together these PVC powerhouses boasted toxic air releases of 528,129 pounds in 2013, while Axial alone sent 144,402 pounds of toxic gunk into the water towards the freshwater intakes of every community downstream. (Paul Orr)