Officials investigate recycling plant

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- City officials are investigating a recycling plant after some residents say they are dealing with several heath issues.

Eight cancer-related deaths and heath issues are raising suspicions among residents of a Northwest Miami-Dade neighborhood that live near by an industrial area. The concern is on the King Metal recycling plant located on 8600 NW 26th Ave.

Resident Antoinette Moss said her and her kids' asthma is getting worst. "And my kids, I took them one Saturday to Jackson, had a severe asthma attack," said Moss.

The heath issues are causing major concerns at county hall. "I don't think we can take anything for granted. When it comes to environmental issues, when it comes to contamination, we have to look out for the heath and safety of our residents," said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan.

The Florida Department of Health is investigating at the request of the Miami-Dade County Commission after several cases of cancer were reported in the area of Northwest 36th Avenue and 86th Street. "We did visit the community yesterday," said FDH spokesperson Lillian Rivera. "A group of our epidemiologists and environmentalists went out to talk to the people in the community. At this time we are asking the community to please come forth, to talk to us."

Area residents want the King Metal recycling plant investigated fearing that the plant could be connected to their illnesses and saying pollutants are building up on their homes and cars. "You come up and you find dust on your mailbox, dust on your car. I didn't know what that meant. All of sudden, my asthma had inflated and my kids too," said Moss.

Another concern for residents and officials is a nearby elementary school located blocks away from the recycling plant.

Leonardo Enrique, a King Metal employee said none of his coworkers or their children have any symptoms, and that there is also a sand and brick company, a chemical company and other industrial businesses in the area that can also produce pollutants.

King Metal management has not commented on the situation. The business is closed while they work on environmental compliance issues that are not related to the possible heath scare.

Officials continue to investigate.

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