Frederick H. Opper, MD: Cement plants are health threats
From the Wilmington Star News editorial page: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Why have nearly 200 local physicians, including most of our town's pediatricians and pulmonologists, urged, via a signed petition, the cessation of the proposed Titan Cement factory at Castle Hayne? Those in favor of this factory attempt to paint their opponents as anti-job, anti-development environmental extremists. Physicians, however, are generally rather conservative small-business owners who have a profound interest in the economic development of our region.
Cement production is a particularly noxious activity. The medical literature clearly documents increased risks of serious respiratory problems in proximity to such plants. Titan has applied for a permit allowing it to emit, among other substances, mercury. According to Martha Keating of Duke University, sulfur dioxide, sulfate particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, hydrochloric acid and other inevitable by-products of cement production are of grave concern. She warns us that some of these by-products have been known to cause cancer, others impair reproduction and normal development of children, and can worsen conditions like asthma, leading to emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Titan advocates argue that the area is already zoned for industry and is the former site of a cement factory. However, not only has our knowledge and awareness of toxic industries grown in the 27 years since the previous cement factory closed, but the area itself is no longer appropriate for such a factory. The region has expanded, and now more than 8,000 children will live or attend school within five miles of the factory.
Titan's claim that it will meet all state and federal safety requirements is of small comfort. Scientists know that, often, decades lag between awareness of an environmental threat and the political will necessary to protect us from it. Secondhand smoke has long been known to cause significant disease Only recently and hesitantly have states moved to protect its citizens. Along similar lines, the use of seatbelts has long been known to save lives. Yet again, only comparatively recently have seatbelt laws been widely enacted. How many lives would have been saved if protective measures had been enacted sooner? How will the parents of New Hanover and Pender Counties react in 10 to 20 years when they realize that they allowed their children and grandchildren to grow up in the toxic shadow cast by Titan Cement?
Titan recently paid for a study by Intertox which purports to show that the mercury released by their factory will have a negligible effect on our counties' citizens. This study omits data on the 140 other toxins that cement factories admit releasing into the environment. It comes as no surprise that the Intertox study, financed by Titan, arrives at this shockingly benign conclusion. (EDITOR'S NOTE: the study was done before the EPA announced new mercury standards.)
The medical literature is replete with articles and opinion pieces demonstrating the huge bias in favor of a product when the research is funded by the product's manufacturer. This study cannot be taken seriously.
Although Titan promises to limit its output of toxins to permitted values, experts such as Harvard trained Stephen Lester, director of the Center for Health Environment and Justice, and Philip Landrigan professor of pediatrics at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, agree that there is no safe level of mercury exposure for children. Put another way, all levels of mercury exposure can be harmful to fetuses and small children. Titan claims that it is managing the risk by adhering to regulations. More than 300 local health care workers - doctors as well as a group of other health professionals who signed a separate petition - disagree.
Whom will you trust with the health of your family?
Frederick H. Opper is a Wilmington physician specializing in pulmonary medicine. He is a clinical assistant professor of medicine with the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.