HOUSTON COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION DEMANDS ACTION AGAINST HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS FROM TEXAS MATERIALS HOT MIX ASPHALT PLANT
Over 3,000 households are exposed to air pollutants
Public meeting will be held on Monday, October 2, 2023
Contact: Riikka Pohjankoski, [email protected], 713.589.7079
Houston, Texas – Air Alliance Houston, local residents, and community advocates are rallying to address pressing environmental and health concerns surrounding the proposed renewal of the Texas Materials Group’s Hot Mix Asphalt Plant permit in Houston’s East End. The plant poses significant health risks due to emissions of dangerous air pollutants to the surrounding communities.
Over 3,300 households, an early childhood center, an elementary school, multiple churches, parks, and other sensitive areas are located within a mile of the plant. The community predominantly comprises people of color, with 84% identifying as Hispanic and 67% primarily Spanish-speaking. The two nearest zip codes exhibit elevated levels of asthma, heart and lung diseases, and strokes, compared to the county average.
If Texas Materials Group’s permit renewal is granted, the plant will be allowed to continue emitting over 120 tons of pollution annually. These emissions include particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Of particular concern is the emission of PM2.5, fine particles that are detrimental to respiratory and cardiac health, especially for vulnerable individuals. The plant also releases Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs), such as benzene and formaldehyde, that can cause respiratory irritation, nausea, and long-term health issues, including organ damage and cancer.
Air Alliance Houston encourages members of the news media and the local East End community to attend a public meeting about the plant and the permit that is being held by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) at the request of local officials. This meeting is on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 7:00 PM at Hampton Inn Houston I-10 East, 10505 East Freeway, Houston, Texas 77029. The public is strongly encouraged to attend and ask questions of the plant owners and TCEQ staff concerning the permit application.
About Air Alliance Houston
Air Alliance Houston is a non-profit advocacy organization working to reduce the public health impacts from air pollution and advance environmental justice through applied research, education, and advocacy. For more information and resources, please visit www.airalliancehouston.org.