GROUND BROKEN FOR NEW QUARTZ PLANT IN SEALY
Construction is getting underway for a new quartz manufacturing plant in Sealy.
Earlier this month, representatives from Hendrix Industries and local officials met to break ground at the site of the plant, located at 2880 FM 3538.
The $50 million facility will store, manufacture and distribute natural quartz products for homes throughout the United States. The company makes its quartz slabs under the trademark, Techno Quartz by Hendrix.
The plant will be the first of its kind in Texas, and is expected to employ around 150 skilled workers.
Sealy Mayor Carolyn Bilski said the facility will be very impactful for the community, region and state. She said she expects Hendrix to be in high demand with the large amount of homes coming to Sealy and the area west of Houston.
I am curious if this quartz plant is going to be emitting any kind of quartz particles or other seemingly dangerous emissions into the air? Nothing has been said about this.
One of the retailers of the product out of Illinois, has a statement from the company on their website, which says, “Natural quartz is the main component of Techno Quartz. Natural Quartz is a crystalline Silicon Dioxide, which is usually white r [sic] transparent […].” Extremely fine particles of this, released into the air, could have an impact on the health of persons who might inhale them (silicosis). Also, most plants that deal with these materials use a substantial amount of water and if not filtered and reused, they may allow it to pool in pits and evaporate, which would leave the fines to dissipate in the wind. The company seems to have little web exposure to find out anymore. I’m sure the mayor of Sealy has a full and complete environmental study that has been done prior to their signing the deal.