Galveston County Daily News, April 1, 2007 GALVESTON -- As Galveston County residents, we live in one of the most polluted and unhealthy places in the country, according to a new report entitled Toxic Pollution and Health released by Environment Texas. The report, which provides specific information on toxic emissions, clearly shows that Texas is the worst state in America for releases of toxic pollutants overall, with the Gulf Coast region being a particularly dangerous area. As a fourth-year medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch, I was concerned to learn that Texas ranks first in the nation for releases of carcinogens, neurological toxins and dioxin (an extremely toxic chemical that can cause cancer) into our air and water. Texas is second for releases of developmental and reproductive toxins in the air and water, which can result in sterility, spontaneous abortion and birth defects.