FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2006

 CEMEX Neighbors Find Mercury in their Dust

 LYONS –Two local residents close to the CEMEX Lyons Cement Plant have found mercury in the dust in their homes.

 Recent dust tests, which revealed the presence of mercury, were a follow-up to tests in April in which other dangerous heavy metals were found in the dust on neighbors’ cars, porches, and in their homes. Those metals included chromium and antimony at levels far above EPA health standards. Some types of chromium can cause cancer, and antimony is linked to heart and respiratory ailments.

 The metals found in the dust, including mercury, are characteristic components of cement kiln dust, a fine caustic dust that is one of the potentially hazardous pollutants released from the CEMEX facility.

 “The detection of mercury at any level in a family’s home is unacceptable,” said Jaime Rall, program director for Colorado Citizens Campaign. “CEMEX must work with its neighbors to clean up its pollution.”

 Mercury is a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause developmental problems during pregnancy and in young children. According to Earthjustice, a national environmental law firm, cement plants across America released over 12,000 pounds of mercury into the air in 2003. CEMEX Lyons alone reported 54 pounds of mercury emissions in its most recent EPA Toxic Release Inventory. CEMEX releases mercury by burning coal and other raw materials. Mercury is also found in cement kiln dust.

 Neighbors conducted these tests with the help of Colorado Citizens Campaign 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. Denny Larson will be visiting the community again on Friday, July 21, to follow-up these tests, explain the results, and empower more neighbors to take pollution monitoring into their own hands (see attached Press Advisory).

 Colorado Citizens Campaign is a statewide grassroots group urging CEMEX Lyons to reduce or eliminate its toxic releases. Members of Colorado Citizens Campaign have written 3680 personal letters to CEMEX managers since January 1, 2006, demanding the reduction of pollution such as mercury and cement kiln dust.