BATON ROUGE - A new study released by Johns Hopkins University on Monday revealed data on the cancer risk in industrial areas stretching from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, referred to by some as "Cancer Alley."

"American citizens right here, right now are being exposed to cancer-causing pollutants in 2025, right here, right now in Louisiana, and something needs to be done," Shamyra Lavigne-Davey said.

Researchers measured 17 hazardous air pollutants and identified an estimated cancer risk in 15 census tracts along a 50-mile stretch. 14 of those tracts had a cancer risk higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's 2020 assessment.

"I'm happy it's being exposed for what's actually happening," Shamyra Lavigne-Davey said.

Shamyra Lavigne-Davey is the executive assistant of Rise St. J

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