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 Downwinders At Risk - Articles: Holcim, Not So Wholesome TNRCC Needs to Do More!

Monday, September 23, 2002

Holcim, Not So Wholesome TNRCC Needs to Do More!

Dear Editor:

I think it is time that the people of Midlothian need to start speaking out about all the emissions that the 3 cement kilns & 1 steel mill emit. We have North Texas Cement burning tires and now TXI is burning them, also. Every evening that you walk out side you can smell them burning.

You can also smell sulfur odors, burnt metal, different chemicals, and etc. What is the city of Midlothian doing about this? NOTHING!!. For the last 2 years Holcim has violated their permit. What kind of health effects has this or will be caused on our health. What about all the children of Midlothian that have asthma? Has anyone told the employees & their families of Toys R Us or the new Target warehouse about what they will be breathing in Midlothian? For the year 2000, the 4 industries have emitted 1,502,123 pounds of air emissions in Midlothian In that Chromium 573 lbs, Lead 3923 lbs, Manganese 7998 lbs, Mercury 774 lbs, Sulfuric acid 1,416,045 lbs. Also, the worst of it all was 1.64 lbs of Dioxin. Holcim was fined very little for what damages they have caused this community. Out of this Midlothian will receive $111,562 for fire equipment. This money should be spent on the health care cost of the people that it has affected and enforcement by the City to stop this. Midlothian is a great town to move to if you want to increase your chances of cancer or other health effects on your life. If I was told all this,

I would have NEVER moved here.

Debra L. Markwardt