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Mossville, Louisiana Bibliography
Updated June 3, 2010 by Pati Threatt
This bibliography remains incomplete as the Mossville, Louisiana environmental issues continue to develop. Below are a few resources concerning the Mossville community.
All
locations refer to McNeese State University, Frazar Memorial Library.
Materials
in Archives and Special Collections Department do not circulate.
Newspaper and Journal articles | Manuscript Collections and Government Documents | Web links
Note: Frazar Memorial Library's Serials Department holds microfilm copies of two Mossville area newspapers: The Westlaker (1962-1978) and The Westlake/Moss Bluff News (1979-1995). Please visit the Serials Department on the second floor of the Library for access to these resources.
Kriz, Margaret. “The color of poison.” National
Journal. Vol. 30, No. 28 (July 11, 1998), pp. 1608-1611.
Abstract :Deals with the protest of the Mothers of Mossville
organization to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
about the pollution they suffered from a chemical plant in Mossville,
Louisiana. Purpose of states officials in permitting chemical plants to
move into the Mossville region; Overview of the Civil Rights Act in 1964
that has been violated by the state officials; Implication of the
protest filed by the residents.
“Foster orders investigation into contamination.”
Greater Baton Rouge Business Report. Vol. 17, No. 18 (April 27, 1999), p. 8.
Abstract :Reports that Louisiana Governor Mike Foster has created a task force
to address health concerns of residents in Mossville, one of the state's most
polluted area. Preliminary results of a health study which showed that Mossville
residents have elevated levels of dioxin-like compounds in their blood; Health
effects of dioxin-like compounds; Functions of the task force.
“Black Louisianans fight industrial pollution.” New York
Amsterdam News. Vol. 90, No. 41 (October 7, 1999), pp. 4-6.
Abstract :Reports on the involvement of residents from the primarily
African-American area of Mossville, Louisiana, in protest actions calling for a
phase-out of toxic chemicals worldwide. Participation in Greenpeace's lobbying
efforts against toxic chemicals in Geneva, Switzerland, where negotiations will
be held on a treaty to control Persistent Organic Pollutants.
McQuad, John. “Mystery in the Blood.” Amicus Journal. Vol. 23, No. 1
(March 1, 2001), pp. 33-36.
Abstract :Deals with high levels of dioxins in blood of several Afro-American
residents in Mossville, Louisiana. Absence of an apparent explosion or
industrial accident; Uncertainty about health risks; Rare case of documented
chemical poisoning; Exposure to a variety of other ailments; Factors that have
threatened to derail efforts to address the health concerns of Mossville.
Cormier, Eric. "Gathering at Mossville." Louisiana Life.
Publication Date: Summer 2003, pp. 40-45.
“Greenpeace, Habitat for Humanity home is protest against production of
polyvinyl chloride.” New Orleans City Business. Publication Date: April
05, 2004
Kamerick, Megan. “House of ill dispute.” New Orleans City Business. Vol.
24, No. 41 (April 05, 2004), p. 27.
Abstract :Discusses the construction of a Habitat for Humanity home without the
use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Collaboration with the organization Greenpeace; Designation of Louisiana as the
home of the largest concentration of vinyl producers in the United States; Ways
in which the construction site has become a focal point for environmental health
activists; Toxicity of PVC; Goal of the Habitat project of proving that
alternative building materials can be used.
Toloken, Steve. “Law firm says vinyl site violates human rights.” Plastics
News. Vol.17, No. 3 (March 21, 2005), p. 19.
Abstract :This article reports that a New Orleans, Louisiana-based environmental
law firm is advancing the argument that pollution from vinyl plants and chemical
sites near an African American community amounts to a human rights violation.
The Advocates for Environmental Human Rights is asking the Organization of
American States, an international body of 34 countries, whose goal is to promote
democracy and human rights in the Western Hemisphere, to investigate its claim
that weak environmental laws essentially sanction pollution in Mossville,
Louisiana. It said, for example, that the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry found that Mossville residents have dioxin levels in their
blood at three times the U.S. average.
“Town Seeks Right to Clean Environment.” Indoor Environment Quality
Strategies. Vol. 18, No. 5 (May 2005), pp. 14-15.
Abstract :Reports on the petition filed by the lawyers from Advocates for
Environmental Human Rights on behalf of residents of Mossville, Louisiana, with
the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American
States which seeks remedies such as medical services and reform of the existing
environmental regulatory system, as of May 2005. Problem with the industrial
facilities in Mossville; Findings regarding emissions of human carcinogen vinyl
chloride and dioxins; Background of Monique Harden, an lawyer involved in the
suit.
Bannister, Nikki. “Black Town Fights For Clean Community.” Crisis. Vol.
112, No. 3 (May/June 2005), p. 8.
Abstract :Reports on the efforts of the Mossville Environmental Action Now
(MEAN) to ensure the environmental public safety of residents in Louisiana in
2005. Information on the health problems being experienced by the residents in
Mossville due to the toxic pollutants released by several chemical plants in the
city; Views of MEAN president Edgar Mouton on the number of people dying in
their community; Overview of a petition filed by MEAN with the Organization of
American States' Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against the U.S.
“Action Line.” Everyone's Backyard. Vol. 23, No. 3 (Fall 2005), pp. 6-8.
Abstract :The article presents news briefs on environment protection in
different states in the United States. The Alaska Community Action on Toxics has
succeeded in getting the state legislature to pass by a 17-2 vote a bill that
requires public notice when pesticides are applied in parks, public sports
fields, government buildings, or common use areas around apartment buildings.
The bill also shifts the burden of funding the state's pesticide program from
the state's general fund to fees paid by chemical companies. Workers at the
second worst toxic chemical emitter in Arizona, Asarco Inc.'s Hayden Smelter,
are teaming up with environmentalists and community leaders to turn knowledge
about the company's poor labor and environmental behavior into action on social,
economic and health problems faced by residents and workers. Residents of
Mossville, Louisiana secured a major victory recently when a federal court threw
out the United States Environmental Protection Agency's woefully inadequate
emissions standard for polyvinyl chloride facilities.
“Dumping on our Communities.” Essence. Vol. 38, No. 3 (July 2007), pp.
150-151.
Abstract :The article features the African American communities in the U.S.
where toxic wastes are being dumped. The rural community of Mossville,
Louisiana, is home to 300 residents and 17 major industrial facilities, many of
which have admitted to releasing millions of pounds of toxic chemicals into the
air and water. A chemical plant in the mostly African-American neighborhood of
Sweet Valley Cobb Town, in Anniston, Alabama, has released noxious chemicals
into the air, lakes, rivers and soil.
Appel, Adrianne. “Tiny Town Demands Justice In Dioxin Poisoning.” Rachel's
Democracy & Health News. Issue 918 (August 2, 2007), p. 3.
Abstract :The article reveals that people in Mossville, Louisiana are being
exposed to unusually high levels of dioxin compounds coming from factories in
the area. Residents want an end to the pollution and want to be moved away from
the factories but there is no visible action coming from the government. In
2005, a local Mossville environmental group filed a petition against the U.S.
government on the grounds that Mossville's environmental human rights are being
violated.
Schade, Mike. “Landmark Victory!” Everyone's Backyard. Vol. 25, No. 4
(Winter 2007), pp. 3-4.
Abstract :The article focuses on the first-hand account of the author on the
campaign in phasing out the poison plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the U.S.
He said that the success was attained because of the help of grassroots health
and environmental organizations. He added that the campaign was launched as part
of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice's (CHEJ) national prevent harm
strategy to avoid using toxic chemicals because they can affect the health of
individuals and the environment. The author said that Mossville, Louisiana is
surrounded by a toxic cluster of four vinyl production facilities.
Verespej, Mike. “EPA sued over emissions rules.” Plastics News. Vol. 20,
No. 34 (October 27, 2008), pp. 3-4.
Abstract :The article reports that three environmental groups have filed a
lawsuit to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue
standards regulating all hazardous air emissions from polyvinyl chloride
manufacturing plants. The lawsuit was filed on October 22, 2008 in District
Court for the District of Columbia by nonprofit environmental law firm
Earthjustice. The company is acting on behalf of the Sierra Club and Louisiana
community action groups in Mossville and Baton Rouge.
The Calcasieu Estuary Environmental Task Force Collection is a complete depository of documents produced by the task force for public use. The list of documents available here is designed to assist the user in locating information concerning the environment of Southwest Louisiana and assist members of the task force in their work.
Location: Government Documents
The Dr. C. W. Fogleman collection,1960-1983. Includes community studies of Louisiana towns written by students of Dr. Fogleman. Guide to the collection available at: library.mcneese.edu/depts/archive/fogleman234.htm .
Location: Special Collections
Web links
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has many documents about Mossville. Search for "Mossville" to retrieve the documents. See also the EPA's Region 6 Superfund site here which includes Calcasieu Parish.
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