Opednews.com, May 16, 2007 PORT ARTHUR -- Race is a potent factor in sorting people into their physical environment and in determining land use, industrial facility sites, housing patterns and infrastructure development. In the real world, some communities have the "wrong complexion for protection." The incineration of the deadly nerve agent VX waste water in Port Arthur, Texas typifies the environmental justice challenges facing African Americans and others detailed in the new Toxic Wastes and Race at Twenty report, released in March 2007. Veolia Environmental Services of Lombard, Illinois won a $49 million contract from the U.S. Army to incinerate 1.8 million gallons of caustic VX hydrolysate waste water near Port Arthur's Carver Terrace housing project. Army and city officials did not announce the project until the deal was sealed. Residents in New Jersey and Ohio fought off plans to incinerate the waste there. The first batch was incinerated in Port Arthur last month on April 22-Earth Day. Port Arthur is encircled by major refineries and chemical plants. Residents whose homes are located at the fence line are riddled with cancer, asthma, and liver and kidney disease that some blame on the pollution from nearby industries. A 2003 health survey done by University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that 75% of the people from Port Arthur complained of headaches and muscle aches compared to 20% in the control group from Galveston; 80% of Port Arthur people had ear, nose and throat conditions compared to 20% in the control area; and 80% percent of those questioned had heart conditions and respiratory problems in refinery neighborhoods compared to 30% in non-refinery areas.