HOUSTON – Parents of Awty International School in Spring Branch say a concrete batch plant operating next to the school is putting hundreds of children at risk. Now, they’re planning to protest on Friday morning in front of TxDOT’s regional office.
TxDOT is the owner of the property where the concrete batch plant is located.
Nearly 1,800 students are enrolled at Awty. A LIPP Schools (Private Language Immersion Preschools) campus is also nearby, a daycare center with infants as young as three months old.
“We’re very happy with the school, and this is an unfortunate situation,” said parent and Awty alumnus Ali Naraghi, who has two children connected to the campus. “Our biggest concern is health.”
According to Air Alliance Houston, concrete batch plants produce fine dust particles that can lead to heart and lung disease, even cancer, if it enters the bloodstream.
RELATED: Houston nonprofit joins lawsuit against EPA grant cuts
One parent, Melia Tipton, said her son, who has asthma, may have to leave the school if conditions worsen.
“If the air quality is not good, unfortunately, he could not remain in the school,” Tipton said.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) told KPRC 2 the company Webber is operating the facility under a temporary permit. While permanent batch plants must be at least a quarter mile from surrounding buildings, temporary plants are allowed to operate as close as 100 feet.
TCEQ officials said the site has also been housing concrete batch plants since 2015.
According to the Houston Health Department, Webber was issued a violation in May for allowing dust to escape from the site.
TCEQ confirmed it has received more than 70 complaints about this location and said an investigation is ongoing.
SUGGESTED: How to make climate-friendly and sustainable choices when shopping online
A spokesperson for Webber sent the following statement:
“We’re operating the facility in compliance with all applicable regulations. We’re committed to minimizing disruption wherever possible throughout the duration of the project.”