WHQR: Titan Cement Responds to Concerns (2008-05-21)

Local Interest

Titan Cement Responds to Concerns

Peter Biello (2008-05-21)

A map of the proposed Titan Cement plant site in Castle Hayne. The yellow indicates 568.1 acres of wetlands.

WILMINGTON, NC (whqr) - A spokesperson from Titan Cement says the proposed cement plant for New Hanover County will not create a toxic environment.

Titan Cement plans on building its plant where the Ideal Cement plant used to operate in Castle Hayne.

That's within five miles of three elementary schools and some parents are concerned about the mercury cement plants release and its possible connection to the development of autism.

Titan Spokesperson Kate McClain says the EPA sets limits on what the plant can release into the environment.

"We are always in compliance with the limits and typically we are way, way under what the Mercury limits are and what they've been set and how they've been set by the EPA."

McClain adds, "We don't want anybody to feel that this is a toxic environment. We want this to be a good thing for the community."

Last month the New Hanover County Commissioners offered more than $4 million to lure Titan Cement to the area. The company says it plans to hire 160 fulltime employees.

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