Though no longer live, this image of the flare stack and plant operations at the Shell-Norco Chemical Plant in Norco, LA., demonstrates how close people are forced to live to the noise, smells, and deadly chemicals that regularly escape from this chemical plant. Homes in the Diamond Community, one of which is visible in the foreground of the photograph, are located just yards from the Shell facility. Residents of this small neighborhood are seeking relocation out of harm's way. The upsets resulted in the release of a wide variety of chemicals - citizen bucket samples have detected over 20 different toxic chemicals in the air.
Many upsets result in flaring.
If the toxic chemicals sent to the flare are not fully combusted, the citizens are exposed. When steam is introduced to the flare to aid combustion, nearby homes shake with the deafening noise and vibration. Every day the Shell-Norco Manufacturing Complex bombards the Norco community with thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals, as well as over 100 tons of air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. A community health survey by Xavier University revealed that respiratory complaints, chest pains, asthma, and bronchitis are not uncommon in the Diamond Community. They live in fear of the next deadly event.