GRANJENO – High winds are causing problems for a community along the Rio Grande.

Granjeno residents said the trash being burned in Reynosa, Mexico limits their ability to get outdoors. They’re concerned for their health.

“I don’t know if you can smell it, yeah you can smell it,” Elizabeth Olivarez said. “And it’s strong and I try not to be outside because of (it).”

Granjeno resident Olivarez suffers from allergies.

“It just kills me,” she said.

Olivarez said the smoke is forcing her stay inside.

“This morning I was going for a walk. I got up at 6 o’clock and I just said forget it. I just couldn’t breathe. It was just so bad,” she said.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS reached out to Valley ear, nose and throat specialist Dr. Turner Wright.

“We’re starting to see more patients coming because of all the trash burnings,” he said.

Dr. Wright explained burning trash does not create allergies. It’s more of an irritation that causes larger problems and can lead to health issues.

“It can cause a lot of nasal congestion, sinus pain and pressure and more importantly it can cause problems with the lungs, bronchitis, pneumonia…The people that are really susceptible for this is the older people and younger people,” he said.

Olivarez said she’s complained for years about the burning trash in Mexico.

“It just gets bad. We’re tired of it but what can we do,” she said.

She hopes her voice will be heard by those who can do something about it.

We reached out to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Andrea Morrow, the media relations manager, said TCEQ doesn’t have authority over Mexico’s burn regulations.

They do work with environmental officials to find ways to create solutions.

Morrow added they have alerted Mexican officials in the past and it’s up to local authorities to follow up.

One way homeowners can connect with TCEQ about concerns is to reach out to their “Border Initiatives Team.” It’s a group focused to increase cooperation between countries.

Anyone with concerns can call TCEQ Border Affairs at 512-239-3500. 

Link: Workgroup Overview: Texas-Coahuila-Nuevo Leon-Tamaulipas Region (EPA)