Louisiana Bucket Brigade

Founded in 2000 by Anne Rolfes,[1] the organization works with communities neighboring state oil refineries and chemical plants to address air quality issues.

"Buckets" that sampled air quality were pioneered by attorney Edward L. Masry in 1995 after he and Erin Brockovich fell ill when exposed to fumes from a petroleum refinery in Contra Costa County, California.

"[2] To accomplish this goal, the organization uses the bucket to take air samples in residential areas that are located near oil refineries and chemical plants.

In the following year, after much media attention, the Environmental Protection Agency confirmed pollution levels higher than detected by the bucket brigade.

Communities currently participating in the Bucket Brigade include Alsen, Baton Rouge, Chalmette, Mossville, New Sarpy, Norco, Louisiana, Port Arthur, Texas, and Durban, South Africa.