Environmental Toxins: Duct Emissions from Concrete Plant May Prove Dangerous

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said that duct emissions from four concrete plants along Dixie Highway could be contaminating the air and making residents sick. Dust samples collected by the DEP from area homes indicate that "there is a potential problem," said Darell Graziani, an environmental administrator for the state agency. Further indoor testing will be needed to decide whether the dust is airborne and has the potential for ingestion.

Dust emissions from Stuart concrete plants may pose problem

Two residents who live near the plant say they have lung damage from living next to the plants: Virginia Jones who lived in the area for 30 years blames her silicosis on the dust from the plants. Silicosis is lung damage that is caused by breathing dust containing fine particles of crystalline silica found in concrete, masonry, and rock. Two of the four plants were recently fined $3,500 because of excessive dust emissions.