
Health and Oil Refinery
This image shows how communities living near petrochemical factories can be affected. Telling a human story: a powerful way to illustrate the negative impacts of a widespread fossil-fuel technology.
Cavan
Rights Managed
WHAT IT SHOWS: Erma Lee Smith, 74 who lives in Carver Terrace public housing in Port Arthur, Texas that is located next to two large oil refineries. She has to have a breathing treatment four times a day and has had respiratory problems for over 30 years. She has lived all her life in Port Arthur. Studies have shown that the residents have a higher level of respiratory problems and a higher level of cancer than a similar community not located near a refinery.
Photo by
Peter Essick/Aurora Photos
Principles:
Show local (but serious) climate impacts