Margaret W. DeMoss, MPH 2600 W
. 7ili St ; , #2644 Fort Worth, Texas 76107 

### Testimony for EPA Public Hearing Arlington City Hall, 101 W. Abram August 16, 2012 I testified before this body on June 17, 2009 , concerning the issues before you today . I submit that same testimony to you (below) , because in many ways nothing has changed. The clean air rules long overdue have still not been implemented. The air is still unfit to breathe during much ofthe summer. The cement kiJns are still spewing out mercury, particulates, and other chemicals released by burning hazardous wastes. But some things have changed. The nine-county area has grown 

### in population, resulting in more people, more cars and trucks, and more potential for both pollution and potential victims. In 2009 the prediction was that these rules , ifadopted, would reduce up to 1600 premature deaths annually. That estimate by EPA ' s own studies is now up to 2500 premature deaths with an additional rise in non-fatal heart attacks, asthma, and sick days

- all due to cement plant pollution. My personal story has also changed. In 2009 I testified that two ofmy five grandchildren had been diagnosed with asthma. Well , that figure is now five

- all my grandchildren have inhalers which accompany them everywhere. We should all be ashamed. Delaying these rules as sures more premature deaths of the elderly and more children hospitalized with asthma. Every voter and policymaker is responsible for allowing this travesty. To continue to delay these rules is no less than putting politics and dollars ahead ofthe health ofour children.



### Testimony for EPA Public Hearing Grand Hyatt Hotel, DFW International Airport June 17, 2009 Why are you here today? You as EPA officials are tasked with setting limits on cement kiln emissions and seek public input on proposed regulations which have the potential of improving air quality across the country.And why are you here in the DFW area? Because here is where you find some ofthe dirtiest air in the nation. In 2006, the American Lung Association (ALA) once again ranked Dallas/Fort Worth as the eighth most ozone-polluted metropolitan area in the country, and Tarrant County as the 11th most ozone-polluted county. 

### It was the sixth consecutive year that the ALA gave the region a grade of" F" for air quality. 1 What is the problem simply stated? 1. We have the largest concentration ofcement kilns in a single location in the country. Those kilns are producing toxic emissions which are scientifically proven to cause serious health problems and premature death. 2 . The cement industry has onJy lately and inadequately attempted voluntary reduction ofthese emissions. 3. Regulatory agencies have shirked their responsibilities . Specifically, in the past 15 years , three cement plants and one steel pJant, 

### in or near Midlothianjust south ofus , have belched out approximately one billion pounds of pollutants ; that is over 7000 pounds every hour. (And that is with self-reported data, incomplete data or no data for some ofthose years .) Much ofthat pollution is ozoneforming nitrogen oxide, or particulate matter, a proven carcinogen . Some ofit is mercury. There are no safe levels ofmercury, a known cause of neurological and learning disorders . 2 Children, the elderly, and those with compromised health are most at risk. Now we know that women living in urban areas and exposed to elevated levels ofair pollution are at increased risk for stroke and heart attack. 3 The previous federal administration turned a deafear to concerns over mercury in our air, delaying reductions on mercury limits .4 Our own TCEQ has long ignored the Midlothian cement kilns and failed to act to restrict harmful emissions. 5 Why bas this situation in our now nine-county non-attainment area been allowed to continue? What are the sol. utions ? 1. Industry must step up efforts to be more responsible acknowledge they are putting toxic substances in our air, and spend the money neces sary to reduce emissions . These same companjes have done so in other states. Companies 

### in Europe are financially competitive and produce cement with far Jess air pollution. 2 . Regulatory agencies must adopt stricter controls and stop pandering to industry. That may require decision-makers to dismantle or reform agencies replete with cronyism and industry appointees, and to replace them with scientists and public health experts . 3 . The proposed regulations for the cement industry go a long way in improving the air, resulting in benefits that are not insignificant. Should these regulations be adopted, estimated benefits are between $4.4 and $11 billion for the year 2013, far outweighing the costs , estimated for the same year between $222 and $684 million, annually . A reduction in premature deaths is estimated between 60 and 1600 deaths avoided per year. 6 Specifically, and most importantly for us here

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today, you as EPA representatives have responsibility for the health ofDFW residents . Your decisions can improve our health or make it worse. This air quality issue is personal for me. I love my community and want it to thrive . As chair ofthe Fort Worth Zoning Commission, I witnessed businesses being turned away from relocating here . As long as we are out of compliance, certain industries will be prohibited from establishing new plants here

- we lose potential for newjobs and a healthier economy. Like you, my family and its health are most important. My son is**asthmatic ~**  two ofmy five grandchildren have been diagnosed and two more are headed that way . Their symptoms worsen when they visit us**here~** I cannot with good conscience even wish for them to relocate here closer to us ... how sad for all of us . My ties to this area have been further challenged this past year. Both my husband and I were diagnosed with cancer. How is this possible? We lead a healthy**lifestyle ~**  we practice prevention . And yet, we must pause when we read articles like that from the New England Journal of Medicine about increased health risks for those breathing polluted air. Must we relocate to remain healthy? Or will you the EPA take responsibility and decide we have the right to breathe cleaner air? 1 Fort Worth Environmental Management Department website. 2 UNT Review 

### Not "Just Steam " for the Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee, September 9 , 2008 . 3 New England Journal ofMedicine. " Long-Term Exposure to Air PolJution and Incidents of Cardiovascular Events in Women," February, 2007 . 4 Physicians for Social Responsibility : Environment and Health Program, October 15 , 2003 . 5 DaJlas Morning News series, " The State ofNeglect," January 2009 6 www .epa.gov/ttn/atw /pcem/pcempg.html