CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the first name of a Save the Bay Representative.

Children wearing protective face masks and residents holding signs that read "Our Health Matters" were among the scores of Rumford residents, politicians and environmental activists who rallied Monday afternoon on Kelley Avenue in East Providence.

The event was designed to draw attention to what those present saw as the inevitable expansion of the waterfront location of the TransLoad America Inc. waste processing site, known as TLA Pondview.

Currently, TLA Pondview is seeking clearance from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) to increase its current output of solid waste processing from 500 tons to 1,500 tons: a tripling of its current output and a ten-fold increase granted under its original permit.

The controversial waste processing site has been perched on the banks of East Providence's Omega Pond for the past 13 years. Residents claim the solid waste processed covers their homes with dust, impacts their health and damages the local environment, as Omega Pond feeds into the Seekonk River.

TLA Pondview did not return a request for comment.

East Providence City Councilmen William Conley Jr. and Michael DiGioia, State Sens. Daniel DaPonte and Frank Devall,  State Rep. Helio Melo, Save the Bay's John Torgen and the Toxics Action Center's Taryn Hallweaver were present in a show of support for the residents' claims and concerns over pollution. Councilwoman Katie Kleyla also attended to event and affirmed her support for residents' concerns.

Conley asserted that TLA's current daily output of 500 tons was not legally sound, as the company is operating without the needed certifications from the Local Waterfront Commission and the State Planning Council, something he feels was overlooked by the previous office of RIDEM.

"This seems like a no-brainer," said Conley. "If they don't have the required documentation to operate at 500 or even 1,500 tons, why are they being allowed to do it? We're hoping the DEM is not going to allow any further expansion."

Equally fervent about the prospect of TLA's potential expansion was resident Al Pallota. Pallotta, who has lived on Omega Pond, bordering Roger Williams Avenue since 1986, spoke to the large crowd gathered on Monday.

"You can't stop [the dust] from touching everything," said Pallotta. "It comes in the house, through the eaves. Imagine what our neighborhood will look like if they're allowed to process even more waste."

Pallotta said he "immediately" noticed a negative change in his neighborhood environment and overall quality life "the moment" TLA Pondview set up its operations.

He also added how his life has changed since TLA  became his new neighbor.

"I feel like a prisoner in my own home," he said. "I've stopped having people over. It would be nice to have a cookout in the summer, but the dust just gets on everything. This isn't why I moved here."

The hope shared by many at Monday's rally was that the RIDEM's newly appointed director, Janet L. Coit, would not grant the expansion of TLA. 

Jo-Ann Durfee is no exception. Durfee has been forming petitions to halt TLA Pondview's further expansion since last September.

"I really hope the RIDEM will realize how much we've had to put up with," said Durfee. "The threat to our health is enough. It's time for this to stop."

Several measures remain in the works and include a still pending lawsuit against TLA Pondview, filed by the Attorney General's office last November. The current Attorney General's office did not return a request for comment.

Also in the works, is legislation introduced by District 14 Sen. DaPonte. The legislation, still being considered in committee, would limit TLA's processing back to its original output of 150 tons a day.

In the meantime, residents like Pallotta are "literally holding [their] breath" to see what the resolution to this 13-year battle will be.