Riverside revisited;
The definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior and expecting different results. Since Riverside seems to be in the headlines on laimc, thought that we could include something a bit less divisive than ethnic tensions with the intent of greater unity in the community. Riverside residents all breathe the same air, regardless of their skin color or political outlook. Nothing like a little science to calm down people's emotions, or at least have emotions refocused on shared concerns like air quality.
In Riverside the air quality issues from hexavalent chromium needs to be revisited. This toxic mineral was sourced from TXI cement's dust piles that were exposed to wind. As the dust entered the air and people's homes and lungs, the hexavalent chromium did also. This toxin is linked to cancer, respiratory failure and was also featured in the movie "Erin Brockovich", though from a different source.
The latest study (3/09) features samples and levels collected in several sites surrounding the TXI Cement plant in Riverside. The sample dates show (2/12/08 - 2/24/09) continued presence of hexavalent chromium in small amounts, measured as 24 hour Cr 6+ concentrations in nanograms per cubic meter (ng/m3);
"Hexavalent Chromium Study in Western Riverside County
After a five-month intensive investigation of toxic air pollution in the Rubidoux area of Western Riverside County, AQMD has identified TXI Riverside Cement as the source of elevated levels of the cancer-causing chemical hexavalent chromium in the Rubidoux area. As a result, AQMD will take aggressive action to reduce the hexavalent chromium emissions from Riverside Cement and lower the risk levels in the community around the facility."
Hexa Crm sample tables and maps found here;
http://www.aqmd.gov/RiversideCement/RiversideCement.html then visit;
Air Monitoring Data for Hexavalent Chromium 03-03-2009
As reported in a previous article on the same subject, following the lawsuit against TXI Riverside Cement, a settlement was reached where TXI will pay 1 mil and "reduce" dust emissions.
"TXI Cement to Pay $1 Million in Settlement
TXI Rverside Cement will pay $1 million and implement measures to reduce dust emissions near its plant, as mandated in a settlement reached with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) of Rubidoux, California.
Air monitors from the AQMD located in Rubidoux detected elevated levels of hexavalent chromium, which alerted them to problems at TXI."
http://www.uslaw.com/lawsuits/?itemid=653 Last time i checked, the term "reduce" does not imply eliminate, so there remain levels of hexavalent chromium laced cement dust floating around town on windy days..
The response by TXI to the settlement was to lay off 88 workers and keep the plant open with minimal operations. Maybe preventing further pollution by covering and updating their kilns proved too expensive, so workers at the plant pay the cost of clean up by losing their jobs..
"A Riverside cement manufacturer which was fined $1 million in penalties earlier this year for violating air quality standards, will lay off the majority of its Inland workforce starting Saturday.
TXI Riverside Cement, owned by Dallas-based Texas Industries, will lay off 88 people at its Rubidoux plant north of Riverside on Saturday and Dec. 19, said Frank Sheets, the company's spokesman.
The Rubidoux plant will remain open with 19 people to pack the company's cement in bags."
http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_Biz_S_webcement.2efa887.html What this sounds like is another potential corporate cut and run with the TXI plant's eventual closure and the factory becoming a superfund site with hexavalent chromium cement dust remaining there indefinitely..
TXI Riverside Cement Co. is based in Dallas, TX. Corporate officials no doubt live far away from any drifting cement dust!!
visit TXI @;
http://www.txi.com/ 972-647-6700
info@txi.com People could ask; what are TXI's plans for Riverside??
When will a clean-up of hexavalent chromium laced cement dust occur?