Poor pollution regulation (still) impacts the lives of Gulf Coast residents causing severe health problemsBY JUSTIN KLAWANS, THE WEEK USPUBLISHED  It is estimated that the United States' "most climate-vulnerable communities are along the industrialized Gulf Coast,'' according to an environmental index cited by Scientific American. The Gulf is a "flood- and hurricane-prone region with deep pockets of poverty, poor health and economic and racial inequities," the outlet added, and much of this is due to the "area's legacy of industrial pollution and high cancer rates." While the causes of environmental hazards within the Gulf Coast are clear, the hardships are ongoing for residents of the area due to lackadaisical regulations on regional pollution. Much of the pollution comes from the mass quantities of oil refineries on the Gulf Coast. In 2021, it was reported that the Gulf's Houston-area refineries alone account for "more than a quarter of [crude oil] production in the United States." Most of these refineries also have very few air pollutant regulation.  It is estimated that the United States' "most climate-vulnerable communities are along the industrialized Gulf Coast," according to an environmental index cited by Scientific American. The Gulf is a "flood- and hurricane-prone region with deep pockets of poverty, poor health and economic and racial inequities," the outlet added, and much of this is due to the "area's legacy of industrial pollution and high cancer rates."While the causes of environmental hazards within the Gulf Coast are clear, the hardships are ongoing for residents of the area due to lackadaisical regulations on regional pollution. Much of the pollution comes from the mass quantities of oil refineries on the Gulf Coast. In 2021, it was reported that the Gulf's Houston-area refineries alone account for "more than a quarter of [crude oil] production in the United States." Most of these refineries also have very few air pollutant regulations. If the problems with pollution are known throughout the Gulf Coast, why has it been such a challenge to implement proper regulations? And what legacy is being left for the people of the region as a result?If the problems with pollution are known throughout the Gulf Coast, why has it been such a challenge to implement proper regulations? And what legacy is being left for the people of the region as a result?......read on          https://theweek.com/environment/gulf-coast-pollution-regulations