Mysterious dust layer has Ravena residents worried about air quality

RAVENA – Over the last few weeks, residents in the village of Ravena have found dust like residue on their cars, homes and property. Residents are concerned because they don’t know what it is. However, many neighbors are pointing the fingers at the Lafarge cement plant.

People say they are concerned because they don’t want to breathe in the substance.

One man says he had to take his car to the car wash because it got so dirty.

Ravena Mayor Bill Misuraca he said he has been in contact with Lafarge. He says Lafarge has procedures in place to figure out what is going on.

Misuraca also says he has been in contact with the Department of Environmental Conservation. They are going to test the substance.

Misuraca says they are awaiting test results. He says once they get the results, then they will be able to determine the cause.

Lafarge sent NewsChannel 13 this statement:

"We are aware of the complaints regarding fugitive dust on private property in the Ravena area, and we have been in ongoing discussions with the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) about this matter.

As a long-standing and engaged member of the local community and the largest employer in Southern Albany County, we are deeply committed to being a good neighbor and protecting the environment while providing good-paying jobs.

We take all concerns and complaints about the plant very seriously, and we aim to operate in a manner that causes zero harm to employees, workers, contractors, customers, and visitors. We have been in communication with impacted residents and recently launched a new initiative to better engage with members of the public so we can build on the already strong foundation established over our close to six decades of operations.

Anyone who wishes to contact the plant in connection with a problem, question, or complaint – including occurrences of materials on vehicles or other property – can email us directly at Ravena@lafargeholcim.com so we can start a formal process of collecting data, if a resident agrees, to help determine the materials’ type and source.

We will continue to work with the appropriate authorities on this and any future matters, and also with impacted individuals to maintain an open dialogue and ensure solutions are reached."