Concerns are mounting among Houston Ship Channel residents, who rallied on Tuesday against what they say are harmful levels of arsenic in dredge spoils, reports the Houston Chronicle. The arsenic, part of toxic contaminates unearthed by the $1 billion Project 11 expansion of the waterway, threatens to further pollute neighborhoods already burdened by industry pollution, as uncovered in Amnesty International's recent report.
A release on Thursday by Amnesty International hammered down on the petrochemical industry's ongoing pollution in the Houston Ship Channel area, revealing a stark reality for residents. The international human rights organization labeled the ship channel a "sacrifice zone" due to the extensive pollution and associated health and human rights consequences, according to a study featured in a Houston Public Media article.
The "Cost of Doing Business?" report found that people living around the over 600 area facilities often face exposure to carcinogens and a diminished life expectancy when compared to more affluent, whiter neighborhoods. Marta Schaaf, director of Amnesty International's Program on Climate, Economic and Social Justice and Corporate Accountability, criticized the lack of stringent regulation by agencies such as the EPA and TCEQ, stating, "And when you find that enforcement is poor or that laws themselves reflect misinformation or priorities pushed by the fossil fuel industry, it's extremely disappointing."
This sentiment was echoed by local residents, like Galena Park’s Juan Flores who handles community air monitoring with Air Alliance Houston, and, told Houston Public Media, "We’ve always known it smells, always known there’s chemicals, always known everything’s there." His personal experience aligns with the fears now substantiated by scientific data. The expansion project, promising efficient transport, carries with it the price of potential health impacts for those in nearby communities.
Industries including ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell, and Shell have faced accusations of chronic violations of air pollution regulations but have responded with commitments to human rights and environmental safety. ExxonMobil's statement asserted their adherence to corporate policies and practices that respect human rights. However, the report from Amnesty International suggests that the existing regulatory framework may not be sufficient to protect residents from pollution-related harms. Following the release of these findings, there are calls for more transparency, improved communication with communities, and a phase-out of fossil fuel reliance, with recommendations targeted at both regulatory agencies and the very companies operating along the channel.
