MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Imagine being afraid that the air you are breathing is making you and your loved ones sick.
That’s the reality for so many families in Memphis.
RELATED: ‘People are dying’: Neighbors in some of Memphis’ oldest communities plagued by pollution
In a FOX13 investigation, we told you stories of neighbors in Boxtown and South Memphis living in a fear of pollution.
Since our investigation aired Wednesday, our newsroom has received several calls and emails from people who said they too believe their loved ones are suffering from health effects due to pollution.
Many of them live in Boxtown, and are asking community leaders to step up and test the air.
RELATED: Hazardous fumes are filling up the Memphis air, EPA warns
“Cancer is spreading like wildfire, and that might be one of my concerns. I am hoping I don’t have it,” Terry Davis of Boxtown said. “I can feel the pain, sometimes when it comes to me the wind and my breath, have gotten short.”
Davis’ neighborhood is plagued by possible pollution.
The area has been home to several plants and companies including the Valero Oil Refinery, which over the years, was part of a 4.25 million penalty over pollution, the TVA Allen Fossil Plant, now shut down and replaced by a natural gas plant, and Refined Metals, which is now a contaminated federal superfund site.
“Sometimes, people up here, we just suffer the consequences whatever they may be and then it turns up being worse than we imagined,” Davis said.
Reports in the National Library of Medicine say people living near oil refineries are at an increased risk of multiple cancer types among other respiratory health risks.
The neighbors we talked to said they try to stay inside as much as possible.
“I try to stay out of this area if I am here. I’m at home inside but I am usually gone 14 to 15 hours a day,” Charles Benson of Boxtown said.
Davis is asking community leaders to investigate and test the air in his neighborhood more often.
In the meantime, he’s warning his neighbors.
“If we don’t talk about it, we can’t get it out,” he said. “I am thanking you guys for raising awareness to us.”
If you believe you or your loved ones are suffering from possible health effects due to pollution in the South Memphis or Boxtown areas, we would like to hear from you.
You can contact our health reporter Mandy Hrach by email at amanda.hrach@fox13memphis.com or by phone at 901-626-2992
Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.
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