Air Quality Concerns Zap Battery Plant Expansion
NBCDFW.com
The city of Frisco is battling the expansion of a battery recycling plant as some residents express concerns over air quality.
The battery plant originally opened in Frisco in 1964, and Exide Technologies took over in 2000, recycling old car batteries.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said the emissions from the smoke stacks contain lead and the concern is that an increase in production will lead to more pollution.
Residents have complained about the smell the plant emits, which the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said partly comes from lead emissions.
Imogene Pennington, who lives just up the hill from the smokestacks, is undergoing treatment for cancer in her jaw. She said she remembers when the plant originally opened.
"When they first put it in, you could go out in the backyard and you could smell (it)," she said.
But Exide said there are technologies that will allow for more production and limited emissions.
Posted Monday, Oct 19, 2009 - 7:57 PM CST
