Toxic Threat around Schools

March 5, 2003
By Michelle Mauch
KRISTV.Com

A local environmental group issued a warning wednesday that says the air your children breathe at some schools could be unsafe.

The sustainable energy and economic development or SEED, claims two thirds of all toxic pollution from texas' chemical and refining plants is released within two miles of a school.

The report looked at 28 schools in Nueces county within 2 miles of refineries and chemical plants.

Citing statistics released by the refineries to the state, the group found that more than 3,000,000 pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the coastal bend in 2000, something they say parents need to be aware of.

Suzie Canales with Citizens for Environmental Justice says, "Parents have a right to know, what their kids are breathing. Kids are more susceptible. Their bodies are not developed."

One concerned parent agreed, Azur Thompson says,"I'd like to see a test, see what would come out of it, compared to the other side of town."

A representative for Port Industries says they already have a community advisory council that shares information with their neighbors gathered from 8 air quality school monitors.

But not everyone who lives in the neighborhood has seen those reports.

Estella Martinez says, "We really do want to know what is out there. What do they do? what do they make, what is in it? it concerns be we're right here next to it."

To take a look at the report you can find it at www.seedcoalition.org

View the video report from KRIS-TV site:
Choose the link "Environmental Group Warns of School Contamination"

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