Martinez 1

Ezequiel Martinez

Ms. Briones

ENGL-1301-123

September 13, 2023

Laredo Community’s Issues

I wonder if the Laredo community has issues. If so, what are the issues? Do those

are a big deal? I am quite surprised that I learned the Laredo community has issues. Those are

about issues of pollution, water supply crisis, medically underserved regions, and drug

trafficking.

Let's explain what each issue is and how the issue affects it. The issue of pollution

is caused by an industrial facility, Midwest Sterilization Corporation, that emits ethylene oxide.

What is ethylene oxide, and why is it used? Ethylene oxide is a gas and is effective in killing

harmful microorganisms that can cause infection. How does it affect Laredo? According to a

recent investigation by ProPublica and Texas Tribune, “a plant in Laredo that sterilizes medical

equipment has been found to be spewing cancer-causing pollution on schoolchildren.” From

2014 to 2018, that made the estimated lifetime cancer risk for almost 130,000 Laredoans,

including more than 37 thousand children. This is quite serious. We are anxious about that. Plus,

I am glad about the Laredo City Council and Webb County Commissioners Court support. They

bought equipment, and air monitoring at five schools that are nearest to the plant, and hired a

full-time technician to oversee a new air monitoring program. According to a recent article from

The Texas Tribune, “Laredo is currently dealing with a water supply crisis due to drought and

low reservoir levels.” Once again, that is the issue of the water supply crisis. When severe
 Martinez 2

drought persists, Laredo will run out of water next season. 30% of Laredo’s pipes are more than

40 years old. “We have grown so fast we didn't have the funding to replace the old pipes,” said

Riazul Mia, assistant city manager of Laredo and former utilities director. Plus, some residents

were unable to get water because it did not guarantee the water’s safety in September 2019.

Governments seek emergency state funds, and they create Laredo’s 50-year plan for needing

more water supply. However, all water budgets are slated for system repair to improve

infrastructure. I wonder how long Laredo is alive. That makes me worried. According to Laredo

Morning Time,” Laredo has been deemed medically underserved for decades.” The Laredo

population is 95.4% Hispanic, and they have been more susceptible to the virus’ serious effects.

The Laredo hospital can’t handle too many uninsured people. “The issue in Laredo, and

elsewhere, is not a lack of physical beds and hospital rooms,” DO Family Medicine Resident

Physician Dr. Tyler King said. “The issue is a lack of nursing and auxiliary staff to properly and

safely treat our patients.” I wonder why Hispanics go there. I don't know what they do. For

example, they are there in Laredo to explore the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, the history

of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande. According to a recent article from The Texas

Tribune,” Laredo has been dealing with drug trafficking issues for years due to its location in the

U.S.-Mexico border.” That is about drug trafficking in Laredo. Laredo has been responsible for

violence and crime by drug trafficking organizations. Those impact the quality of life for many

residents.

I researched four issues about what an issue is and how it affects Laredo. I put my

little opinion with a view. I notice Laredo City Council and Webb Country save us from issues,

but it is not enough to solve. I think we should support and try to know how to solve issues
 Martinez 3

together. We make sure to progress toward a smooth step and a better place in the future. We can

do it.

Finally, we can see the conclusion of the research. We learned about issues;

pollution, water supply crisis, medically underserved regions, and drug trafficking. That’s quite

crazy and hard to solve “decade” issues in Laredo. We should pray to be able to find solutions as

possible. Also, I wonder how we are alive with decade-old issues such as ancient and powerful

viruses. Anyway, that is all we want to know about issues from the Laredo community. Plus, my

favorite quote is “Let it be known that Laredo can’t be a sacrifice zone to serve the rest of the

country” (one resident said about the issue of pollution).

 Martinez 4

Works Cited

How a Laredo plant spews pollution on Texas schoolchildren | The Texas Tribune

Laredo confronts drought and water shortage with minimal options | The Texas Tribune

Statement on concerns with medical device availability due to certain sterilization facility closures | FDA

Why is Laredo a medically underserved region? (lmtonline.com)

5th and Final Man Admits Role in Laredo Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy (dea.gov)