In a move that prioritizes industry interests over environmental justice, the Trump administration is reportedly dropping a federal lawsuit against Denka Performance Elastomer, a Louisiana-based chemical manufacturer accused of emitting dangerous levels of cancer-causing chloroprene.

The Denka plant, located in LaPlace, Louisiana, is the only US manufacturer of neoprene, a synthetic rubber used in various products. However, its operations have raised serious concerns due to the emission of chloroprene, classified as a likely carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Air monitors have detected chloroprene concentrations near the plant at levels up to 14 times higher than the EPA's recommended safe exposure limits.

The Biden administration filed the lawsuit in 2023, aiming to reduce the plant's emissions and protect the predominantly Black community residing near the facility. The lawsuit was part of a broader environmental justice effort to address the disproportionate impact of industrial pollution on marginalized communities.

However, the Trump administration's decision to drop the lawsuit signals a shift in priorities, favoring deregulation and economic considerations over public health and environmental protection. This move aligns with the administration's broader efforts to dismantle environmental regulations and promote industrial expansion.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from environmental advocates and community members. They argue that dropping the lawsuit not only jeopardizes the health of residents near the Denka plant but also sets a dangerous precedent for environmental enforcement across the country.

"The Trump administration chose to protect a well-heeled and well-connected, multinational corporation over protecting American children and their families, ignoring the clear requirements of the Clean Air Act," said David Uhlmann, former EPA official under the Biden administration.

The Denka plant is located in an area known as "Cancer Alley" due to the high incidence of cancer among residents living near the numerous industrial facilities in the region. The decision to drop the lawsuit raises concerns about the future of environmental justice efforts in this area and beyond.

The EPA under Biden had also issued stricter limits on chloroprene emissions from chemical plants nationwide and conducted investigations into Louisiana's environmental regulators for alleged discriminatory practices. However, these efforts are now under threat as the Trump administration reverses course on environmental protection.

The decision to drop the Denka lawsuit highlights the ongoing tension between industry interests, environmental concerns, and public health. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the future of environmental regulations and the fight for environmental justice in the United States.