WFAA-TV

Wildflowers now grow on the site of the vermiculite factory.

DALLAS — Parkland Memorial Hospital is offering free X-rays this weekend to people who spent time near a West Dallas factory.

For 40 years, the W.R. Grace & Co. Texas Vermiculite plant processed a mineral used for making insulation.

Health authorities say many people may have been exposed to asbestos, and they are working very hard now to find anyone who lived, worked, or went to school within a quarter mile of the plant during that time.

Asbestos in the lungs can take decades to develop serious, even deadly disease. Many people may not have made the connection between their health problems and the vermiculite plant.

Parkland has received a grant to screen people for free. If you think you may qualify, go to Parkland this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for a free X-ray examination.

Registration will take place at the Ron J. Anderson M.D. Conference Center in back of the main cafeteria on the first floor of the hospital, which is located at 5201 Harry Hines Boulevard in Dallas.

Pregnant women are not eligible for testing, nor are people under 21 years old.

Authorities have had their share of challenges finding patients because the workers were generally poor and often transient.

They say, however, that this screening could be a matter of life and death.

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com