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 of the 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, if adopted, 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 of my 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 assures 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 of the health of our 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 of the 

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 of cement 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 of these emissions. 

3. Regulatory agencies have shirked their responsibilities. 

Specifically, in the past 15 years, three cement plants and one steel pJant, in or near 

Midlothian just south of us, 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 of those years.) Much of that pollution is ozoneforming nitrogen oxide, or particulate matter, a proven carcinogen. Some of it is mercury. 

There are no safe levels of mercury, 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 of air 

pollution are at increased risk for stroke and heart attack.3 

The previous federal administration turned a deaf ear 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 necessary 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 
• 

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 of the 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 new jobs and a 

healthier economy. Like you, my family and its health are most important. My son is 

asthmatic ~ two of my 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 of Medicine. "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 of Neglect," January 2009 

6 

www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/pcem/pcempg.html