Erin Brockovich will address toxic concerns about Lafarge
Famous environmental advocate Erin Brockovich, lawyers from Weitz and Luxenberg P.C., and Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D. will visit Ravena Friday and hold a special “town hall” meeting to discuss emissions from the Lafarge cement plant.
The meeting is 7 p.m. at the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School auditorium, 2025 Route 9W.
Lafarge was listed as the fourth-highest mercury-polluting cement kiln in the country in 2008, according to a study from the Earthjustice and the Environmental Integrity Project. The plant was built in 1962, and according to its own estimates, emits 400 pounds of mercury per year.
“It’s just sort of part of the landscape and noone’s ever wondered what impact this could be having on our community,” said Elyse Griffin of Community Advocates for Safe Emissions (CASE), a group formed last year by Ravena citizens concerned about Lafarge’s emissions.
The meeting will address the impact of the pollution from LaFarge and go over what legal recourse residents may have. There will be presentations and a question and answer session.