The Corridor | 1 | River Road

The Corridor | 1 | River Road

From Threshold by Auricle Productions

June 2, 2026 · 36 min

About this episode

The episode explores the impact of petrochemical plants on communities along the Mississippi River.

One of the largest concentrations of petrochemical plants in the country lies along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Petrochemicals are made from fossil fuels. We use them to make a huge range of synthetic materials that are found in almost every part of our daily lives — but petrochemicals are made where people live. Here, amidst houses, schools, and churches, more than 150 plants release toxic pollution into communities that are often poor and black. In this episode, we meet residents and explore what it’s like to live - and love - a place at the center of our modern consumer culture. Threshold is nonprofit, listener-supported, and independently produced. You can support Threshold by donating today . To stay connected, sign up for our newsletter .

Topics covered

  • petrochemicals
  • pollution
  • community
  • environmental justice
  • consumer culture

Keywords

  • petrochemicals
  • pollution
  • Mississippi River
  • Baton Rouge
  • New Orleans
  • environmental justice
  • community health

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Threshold, Auricle Productions

Places: Mississippi River, Baton Rouge, New Orleans

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