SENATOR WENDY R DAVIS 

Oostnct 10 

Wq.e §§ .enat.e uf 

Wq.e ff§tat.e of W.exas 

COMMITIEES 

Educatoon 

International Relahons & Trade 

TransportahOn & Homeland Secunty 

Veteran Affaors & Mohtary lnstallatoons 

Draft Comments for EPA Hearing on Air Pollution Standards for Cement Plants 

August 16, 2012; Arlington City Hall 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important matter today. 

All of us who are fortunate enough to serve the public in either elected or appointed capacities have 

been entrusted with certain significant responsibilities. Among the most compelling of these 

responsibilities is the protection of public health. Because I take that responsibility seriously, I must 

express my deep reservations about the E.P.A.'s proposed relaxation of toxic air pollution standards on 

cement plants. 

I take seriously the fact that I represent over 800,000 people who live downwind from what we 

understand to be the greatest concentration of cement manufacturing in the country, located in 

Midlothian. That population includes young children in critical stages of physical development and 

elderly citizens, some of whom are already battling debilitating, chronic health challenges. Delaying the 

implementation of new rules for pollution control by two years and weakening particulate matter 

standards will needlessly expose those vulnerable individuals to serious health risks. 

I dare say that most of my constituents are unaware of their proximity to the cement plants and the 

prevailing winds that blow the cement pol lution their way. But they do know that they, and/or their 

family members, are making more trips to the doctor and hospital emergency rooms because of asthma 

or other breathing difficulties. 

The Community-wide Children's Health Assessment and Planning Survey (CCHAPS) conducted by Cook 

Children's Hospital in 2009 demonstrated the likelihood of a causal link between the cement plants' 

pollution and the prevalence of asthma in our region. The survey revealed that 18.6% of children in 

Tarrant County , i.e., almost one in five, suffer from asthma. That rate far exceeds the state and national 

averages. Another shocking finding is that 27% of school absences lasting three days or longer are due to 

asthma. Since school funding relates directly to attendance, it has been calculated that asthma related 

absences are costing the public schools in our region an estimated total of twelve million dollars 

annually. 

The CCHAPS survey notes that children with asthma are much more likely than their asthma-free peers 

to suffer from other health problems, be limited in their activities, and have problems in school. We 

know all too well the life-limiting effects of the failure to finish school for those unfortunate children 

who drop-out. Given the elevated rates of childhood asthma in our region, and the correlation of higher 

rates with closer proximity to cement plants, it is hard not to come to the conclusion that these plants 

contribute to our children's illness. 

PO. Box 12068 

Austin, Texas 78711 

(512) 463-0110 

FAX: (512) 475·3745 

Dtal 711 For Relay Calls 

E-Mail: wendy.davls@senate.state.tx.us 

2421 W. 7th. Suite 131 . Building A 

Fort Worth, Texas 76107 

(817) 332-3338 

FAX: (817) 332-1230 
Of course, adults are also victimized by bad air quality and we need to consider the effect on our local 

economy of an unhealthy workforce. A two-year delay in implementing the cement plant rules could 

result in as many as 260,000 days of missed work nation-wide, not to mention thousands of asthma 

attacks, heart attacks and even premature deaths. 

It is especial ly difficult to understand these proposed rules changes knowing that we have a longstanding air pol lution problem in the D/FW Metroplex and that we, in fact, remain in non-compliance 

with federally mandated air quality standards. If our region is to remain competitive in attracting new 

businesses and the expansion of existing ones, and if we are to maintain a quality of life that is 

welcoming for families, we simply must clean our air now. Why relax rules that would actually reduce 

the poisons in our air? 

It is, therefore, reasonable to question the wisdom of weakening and delaying the implementation of 

stricter rules on the toxic emissions from cements plants. 

All of us who take seriously our responsibil ities to serve and protect the public should urge the E.P.A.'s 

careful reconsideration ofthe proposed changes in rules for cement manufacturers. The health of our 

citizens, especially the most vulnerable, must not be comprised. 

Sincerely, 

iJ~/2 Wendy R. Davis ~~