Dr. Skrabal is a marine chemist with whose research interests include the chemistry of heavy metals in sediments and waters of estuaries and the ocean. He and his colleagues are completing a study funded by North Carolina Sea Grant to examine the distributions and behavior of the chemical forms of mercury in the Cape Fear estuarine system. Dr. Skrabal, his colleagues, and students have been studying mercury in this system for about five years. This statement represents Dr. Skrabal’s scientific opinion regarding concerns about the proposed Titan Cement plant to be located near the Northeast Cape Fear River in Castle Hayne, NC.

Editorial/opinion piece by Dr. David Hill, local and vocal pediatrician who opposes Titan Cemet. The piece is currently in Wilmington Parent.

"Our commission is extremely concerned about the significant adverse impacts to the aquatic resources that would occur if this project were approved as proposed. We urge the Corps of Engineers to thoroughly review all associated impacts of this proposed project and incorporate the potential air toxic impacts into the overall NEPA process prior to any permits being issued for this project."

Larry Cahoon is a professor of biology and marine biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Martha Keeting from Duke University's Children's Environmental Health initiative speaks about the impacts of environmental exposures on vulnerable populations

Frederick H. Opper M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G., A.G.A.F. is a gastroenterologist practicing in Wilmington. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Comments that Dr. Craig Galbraith presented at the June 2nd commissioners meeting addressing the flawed economic modeling for Titan’ proposed cement plant. As Dr. Galbraith summarizes, low-tech, heavy polluting industries like cement plants often have a negative impact on growth, tax-base and local economies over time.