Marathon Petroleum Faces Class-Action Lawsuit After 2023 Refinery Fire in Louisiana’s Cancer Alley
In August 2023, a significant fire erupted at the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Garyville, Louisiana—an area commonly referred to as “Cancer Alley” due to its high concentration of petrochemical facilities and elevated health risks for local residents. The incident resulted in the release of toxic chemicals, including naphtha and potentially benzene, a known human carcinogen. The fire burned for over three days, prompting the evacuation of residents within a one- to two-mile radius and raising immediate concerns about air quality and long-term health effects.
Following the event, numerous residents reported acute symptoms such as respiratory distress, headaches, skin irritation, and anxiety. These health complaints are consistent with documented effects of exposure to refinery emissions. The Louisiana Department of Health later confirmed a spike in emergency room visits in the aftermath of major flaring events in the region, underscoring the acute public health impact of such industrial accidents.
A class-action lawsuit was subsequently filed against Marathon Petroleum, alleging negligence, inadequate emergency planning, and failure to provide timely notification or protection to the surrounding communities. Plaintiffs argue that the company’s emergency response was insufficient and that the incident exacerbated existing health disparities in a region already burdened by some of the highest cancer rates in the United States.
Statistical and Scientific Context
- Cancer Alley, an 85-mile stretch along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, is home to over 200 petrochemical plants and refineries. This corridor processes approximately 25% of the nation’s petrochemical products.
- Residents of Cancer Alley are up to 95% more likely to develop cancer than the average American, with some communities experiencing cancer incidence rates up to seven times the national average.
- A 2021 Tulane University study estimated that toxic air pollution causes at least 85 additional cancer cases per year in Louisiana, with the highest rates concentrated in low-income and predominantly Black neighborhoods.
- Recent blood testing of children living near refineries in Cancer Alley revealed elevated levels of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, raising further public health concerns.
Legal and Environmental Justice Implications
The Marathon Petroleum lawsuit is part of a broader trend of legal actions addressing environmental racism and public health inequities in Cancer Alley. In 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit revived a landmark civil rights lawsuit, allowing residents to challenge decades of discriminatory land-use policies that have concentrated industrial facilities in majority-Black districts. Notably, 20 of the 24 petrochemical plants in St. James Parish are located in just two majority-Black districts.
Advocacy groups and public health experts are calling for:
- Independent environmental monitoring and real-time air quality data,
- Comprehensive health screenings for affected populations,
- Stricter regulatory oversight and emergency preparedness protocols,
- Transparent communication from both industry and government agencies.