Is Ouachita Parish toxic? Yes, says EPA

Ouachita Parish is the 29th most toxic county in America, and Louisiana ranks as the fifth most poisonous environment among states, according to a Forbes report using Environmental Protection Agency data.

Statistics from the EPA shows more than 16 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the Ouachita Parish environment in 2016.

More than 13 million pounds of the toxic chemicals in Ouachita were released in Sterlington, which was listed as the 29th most toxic town in the country.

Virtually all of the chemicals released in Sterlington came from ANGUS Chemical Co., according to the EPA.

Graphic Packaging's West Monroe paper mill was next on the list in Ouachita Parish with about 2.7 million pounds of toxic chemicals released in 2016.

The data collected by Forbes shows that 147 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released in Louisiana in 2016.

Forbes' analysis looked at the most recent Toxic Releases Inventory report.

It includes data reported from more than 18,000 industrial facilities across the U.S. representing industries like manufacturing, mining, chemicals and utilities. It includes total releases in pounds of about 650 different toxins determined to have a significant adverse effect of humans and/or the environment, Forbes reported.

"Release” means that a chemical was “emitted to the air or water, or placed in some type of land disposal.”

Other Louisiana parishes among the toxic top 50 include: No. 16 Ascension, 25 million pounds; St. Charles, 21.6 million pounds; No. 27 Calcasieu, 18.9 million pounds; No. 28 Jefferson, 15.2 million pounds; and East Baton Rouge, 10.1 million pounds.

Other Louisiana cities on the toxic top 50 include: No. 22 Luling, 17.7 million pounds; No. 28 Geismer, 13.5 million pounds; No. 35 Westwego, 12.2 million pounds; No. 36 Sulphur, 12 million pounds; and No. 39 Donaldsonville, 11.2 million.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1