Environmental Protection Agency Launches Cumulative Impact Assessment in West Dallas

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the launch of a cumulative impact assessment in West Dallas to evaluate the exposure of residents to high levels of pollutants. This assessment, taking place from December through July 2024, will investigate the quality of air, water, fish tissue, and soil in the area. West Dallas has a history of environmental issues, and the EPA selected it as the location for its cumulative impact assessment pilot project. The EPA held a community meeting to inform residents about the study, with many expressing hope that it will finally provide answers to long-standing questions about their exposure to pollutants. The assessment will focus on concrete batch plants, collecting data through sampling and modeling. It will also consider the effects of non-regulated environmental stressors, such as heavy traffic, on the community. The EPA aims to collaborate with local organizations, such as Singleton United/Unidos and West Dallas 1, and ensure community engagement throughout the research process. The findings will be shared transparently with the community in a summary report at the end of the project. This assessment is an important step toward addressing environmental concerns and protecting the well-being of West Dallas residents.