West Dallas residents have dealt with issues of pollution since the 1900’s when the first cement plat arrived. More than 100 years later, residents continue to live in an area that is a site to several environmental injustices. However, this time, the community now has organizations in their corner, and residents continue to be at the forefront in the fight against the companies polluting their community.
(North Oak Lawn Democrats- Precinct 1022, 2021).
When the EPA placed RSR on the Superfund List in 1995 that was a win for the community. Now residents are hoping that GAF- an asphalt shingle factory will also be removed. The shingle factory is the top “…industrial sulfur dioxide polluter in the county, according to the Texas 2019 official emissions inventory. GAF is the lead roofing manufacturer in North America. The West Dallas factory is also the fourth-largest source of industrial particulate matter pollution and the ninth largest source of industrial carbon monoxide. It’s been operating in West Dallas for decades” (Vaughn, 2021).
When GAF’s five-year federal permit was up for renewal, residents and organizations came together to petition for a public hearing with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Legal Aid of Northwest Texas gathered comments from the community, while Downwinders at Risk created a form to request the public hearing. A community meeting was also held to discuss air pollution along the Singleton corridor. The community was granted the public hearing and it took place on July 29, 2021 (Chaudhary, 2022). While the outcome of the hearing has not been disclosed, the community continues to fight for clean air.
Sources:
Chaudhary, S. (2022, July 27). How West Dallas residents are challenging the industries polluting their neighborhood. Dallas Free Press. https://dallasfreepress.com/west-dallas/how-west-dallas-residents-are-challenging-the-industries-polluting-their-neighborhood/
North Oak Lawn Democrats- Precinct 1022. (2021, July 26). Despite its location between two residential areas, GAF’s is Dallas County’s third-largest air polluter. [Timeline photo] Facebook. https://p.facebook.com/dallasdems1022/photos/a.482883952167923/1258930597896584/?type=3&source=48
Vaughn, J. (2021. March 9). In West Dallas, locals want to get rid of an asphalt shingle plant. Dallas Observer. https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/west-dallas-wants-asphalt-shingle-plant-gone-11992425
West Dallas 1. (2021, July 29). Do you guys have neighbors like this in other parts of Dallas? Asking for a friend 
[Timeline video] Facebook. https://p.facebook.com/dallasdems1022/photos/a.482883952167923/1258930597896584/?type=3&source=48