Oct 3, 2005 9:50 pm US/Mountain
Cement Plant Causing Health Concerns For Neighbors
Shaun Boyd
Reporting


(CBS4) LYONS, Colo. Neighbors of a cement plant said everyone in Boulder County may face health risks after the plant was cited for polluting the air.

An inspector cited Cemex for violating pollution control measures 72,000 times last year.

"We're absolutely shocked," said neighbor Lou Dobbs.

She said the plant had a history of problems. The latest involved its coal burning operation. The inspector found it exceeded maximum temperatures repeatedly and potentially led to the release of cancer causing chemicals.

"There's two schools nearby, Boulder and Longmont are downwind. Its not just Lyons, its all of us, we feel, in danger," Dobbs said.

The inspector also found trucks weren't being washed to control the spread of dust, equipment used to control fly ash and sulfur dioxide wasn't working and he noted significant visible emissions from the plant.

"We are very concerned," said Pam Milmoe with Boulder County Public Health.

She said the state's monitoring the plant daily and investigating the alleged violations.

"Is that a data glitch, is that really what was happening?" Milmoe said. "We don't know that because we haven't conducted tests at these higher levels and that's one thing that could be requested as part of this investigation."

Neighbors told CBS4 that enough is enough.

"It's time for them to leave," Dobbs said.

A spokesperson for Cemex said it's cooperating fully with the investigation and could take months to resolve.

The company is also fighting a lawsuit by neighbors and the Sierra Club over its plan to burn tires at the plant.

Cemex is located near the intersection of US 36 and Highway 66 in Lyons.

(Copyright © MMV CBS Television Stations, Inc.)

(http://cbs4denver.com/health/local_story_276235245.html)