Going to school in the shadow of industry
KHOU-TV
03/04/2003
AUSTIN (AP) -- According to a new study more than 142,000 children in Texas go to school in the shadow of refineries and chemical plants.
Every year, those same plants are allowed to release millions of pounds of toxic chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other serious health problems.
The report, "A is for Air Pollution II: The Chemical Threat to Texas Schools", is based on an innovative analysis and state records.
It is also the first major effort by the new Refinery Reform Campaign, based in Austin, Texas.
The study covers Ector, El Paso, Galveston, Gregg, Harris, Jefferson, Nueces and Orange Counties.
Representative Sylvester Turner attended a news conference to announce new legislation.
"We have no system in place to protect these kids when they are the most vulnerable to air pollution. I will be introducing legislation to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to develop a plan to make sure that these kids can be protected from this toxic threat," Turner said.
Two thirds of all the toxic pollution emitted by refineries and chemical plants is released near schools in eight Texas counties.
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