Extended Abstract: An Empirical Study Reviewing Occupational Exposure Leading to Lung Related Diseases and COVID-19 Incidences in Louisiana Parishes
Per the Louisiana Department of Health, mesothelioma and asbestos related deaths are higher than the national average (https://ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus/ accessed 11_17_2021). Occupational exposure to various chemicals in different industries including, petrochemical, construction, plumbing, manufacturing etc. can lead to lung cancer and even mesothelioma. Louisiana has a comparatively higher fatality rate (66.6 in 100,000 people) than the USA national average (58.7 in 100,000 people) for lung cancer and other lung related disorders. Louisiana’s five Mississippi River Ports together, make the largest port complex in the world. These ports and waterways carry a quarter of the nation’s waterborne commerce including half of the nation’s grain, and nearly a quarter of the nation’s coal. They allow connection to major industries, such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation/warehousing, mining, and oil/chemical. Unfortunately, these industries brought about most occupational exposure sources. However, there is no existing data source that accurately tracks the location of high-risk parishes and the predominant occupations in those parishes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the route of occupational exposure of asbestos or other lung related carcinogens in Louisiana which would help in exposure mitigation.