CEMEX neighors find heavy metals in dust
BY JOANNE IRWIN
LYONS � Neighbors within a half-mile of the CEMEX Lyons Cement Plant have found heavy metals in the dust on their cars, porches and inside their homes. These heavy metals are typically found in cement kiln dust, a fine, toxic dust that is one potentially hazardous pollutant released from the CEMEX plant. This dust can also burn skin, lungs and sensory organs.

Lois Hickman, a local neighbor who found heavy metals in the dust inside her home, said, �We want to know exactly where the cement dust comes from. Unwashed trucks on the highway? Fugitive dust from the plant? That will determine what CEMEX needs to do to clean up our community.�
Another neighbor had dust samples tested from the top of their patio glass table, which sits about 200 feet from highway 66, across the street from the CEMEX. Barium, nickel, chromium and antimony were found in the dust.

"Now that we know what's on our patio table, we are in the process of testing the soil in our fields that are further back from the highway to see what's out there."

Kayann Short, another CEMEX neighbor, said, "With these results, we hope that the incoming manager at Cemex will get the point about tire burning. A well-operated plant does not dust the neighborhood with heavy metals. Don't even think about burning tires until current operating practices are up to minimum State and Federal standards."

Two weeks ago, neighbors collected dust samples and submitted them to Cardinal Environmental Laboratories, an independent lab in Ohio, for analysis. Lab results revealed levels of chromium twice the level of EPA health standards. Some types of chromium can cause cancer. Antimony was also found, which is a metal that can cause heart and respiratory ailments.

These tests in local homes answer the neighbors' most pressing question: "What is my family being exposed to by living near this facility?" said Jaime Rall, program director for Colorado Citizens Campaign (CCC), a statewide grassroots group formed to urge CEMEX to reduce toxic emissions. "These results tell us we need more tests."

In the next few weeks, neighbors will test for mercury, which is another toxin often found in cement kiln dust. Neighbors will also test for the more dangerous forms of chromium.

Neighbors conducted these tests with the help of the CCC and Denny Larson, director of Global Community Monitor, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that assists communities worldwide to independently verify air pollution and health concerns.

The CCC and Lyons neighbors have asked CEMEX executives for their data to compare with these test results. CEMEX has not responded to these requests.