On Friday, parents rallied outside TxDOT’s Houston office, demanding the closure of a concrete plant near their childrens’ schools.
HOUSTON — Dozens of Houston parents rallied outside TxDOT’s district office on Friday, calling for the shutdown of a concrete batch plant they said is threatening their children’s health.
The plant, located near I-10 and the 610 West Loop, sits next to Awty International School’s Early Learning Campus and the LIPP Schools Babble Campus.
Friday’s protest comes after weeks of growing frustration, as parents said they still don’t have clear answers about how the plant was permitted so close to schools.
“The message is clear, our kids need clean air, we cannot be putting at risk our kids’ health, their lungs, their brain development,” said Dr. Luis Chug, a pulmonologist and parent.
Dr. Joanna Scoon, a pulmonologist and parent, warned that chronic exposure to concrete dust and silica can be dangerous.
“It can lead to severe medical conditions, autoimmune conditions, cancer,” she said. “So I’m very concerned. That’s why I’m out here, hoping to make it a safer environment for our children.”
The plant was approved to operate under a temporary permit granted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in 2024 for TxDOT’s I-10 expansion project. The massive project could last until 2028.
TCEQ officials confirm they’ve received more than 70 complaints about the plant since July 2025.
The Houston Health Department has also cited the facility for “nuisance dust”, while a state investigation into its operations continues.
“I’m very concerned about the health of our kids,” parent Masha Blankenship said. “I’m worried this could impact their health, and I’ll always wonder if any complications they develop in the future are linked to this.”
Several parents told KHOU 11 they’ve already noticed health issues. Jessica Koch said her daughter developed frequent nosebleeds earlier this year when the plant started operating.
“Our children are more important than profits, and this is not a game to play for the next three or four years,” she said. “Our kids will have been impacted by then. We have to protect them now.”
Under state law, permanent concrete batch plants must be located at least a quarter-mile from schools. However, temporary sites are allowed to operate as close as 100 feet away.
Houston Councilmember Abbie Kamin, who joined parents at the protest, called it “a huge regulatory loophole that we need to close immediately.”
“Everyone is working together in a bipartisan fashion to advocate and ask that this plant be shut down immediately,” she said.
Some parents said they have now retained legal counsel and are preparing to challenge the plant’s permit.
TxDOT sent the following statement to KHOU 11.
“We acknowledge the ongoing protests and the importance of the issues being raised. We respect the right to peaceful demonstration and remain committed to open dialogue, safety, and constructive engagement. Our staff and administration are apprised of the details of the matter and will continue to monitor the situation.”
In a previous statement, the plant’s contractor, Webber, defended its operations and said it is “operating the facility in compliance with all applicable regulations.”
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