“The elderly and children are suffering respiratory problems from the toxic fumes. This is evident in the thick brown dust that covers our windows from the dust that is created from this tar plant.”
KHJ News has received several complaints such this from residents living behind the Veterans Memorial Stadium about the operation of an asphalt plant belonging to Paramount Builders.
The residents said that the wind carries the strong fumes and dust into their homes and they could hardly breath.
One resident asked why Paramount has been allowed to operate its asphalt plant from about the same distance that the McConnell plant used to be and was made to move it farther back during the Togiola administration because of health concerns for residents in thearea.
Paramount owner Papalii Laulii Alofa acknowledged the concerns from residents and said that they are trying to minimize the tar mixing.
He pointed out that they were cleared by the ASEPA to operate.
One of the residents living behind the stadum showed KHJ News an email from a lawmaker indicating that the ASEPA was contacted by the Governor’s Office concerning the permit for Paramount.
Paramount owner Papalii explained that as long as the winds are not strong the odor of tar would not reach the residents behind the stadium.
He said the governmentp needs asphalt to fix the roads and they are trying to meet that need.
He also pointed out that they would like to move the plant further back but there’s available space because another company has taken up most of that area.
