Statement: Poly-America Manufacturing Plant Fire

Environment Texas

AUSTIN — The Poly-America plastics manufacturing plant in Grand Prairie, Texas caught fire early this morning, and officials say the fire could burn until late in the day tomorrow. The facility manufactures plastic products, like garbage bags and plastic sheeting, that are made from polyethylene and other raw plastic materials.

Catherine Fraser, clean air associate with Environment Texas, issued the following statement:

“We’re concerned about what may be in the air around the Poly-America facility. Burning plastic can emit dangerous chemicals like sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and heavy metals, which can be carcinogenic and harm the respiratory and immune systems.

From the wellhead in West Texas to the manufacturing facility, the plastics industry pumps out thousands of pounds of pollution into our air and water to create plastic products that we often use once and throw away. We need to start asking bigger questions about why we allow industry to pollute so much toxic pollution to create products that we don’t need in the first place.”

##

Environment Texas is a nonprofit advocate for clean air, clean water, and open spaces.