ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - A former employee of West Texas Cementers says the company has been dumping hazardous chemicals onto public land, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has opened an investigation into the allegations.

Enrique Godinez, who has worked in the oilfield for 17 years, said he was fired from West Texas Cementers last month after raising safety concerns about the dumping.

He said he worked in the company's acid department, where he witnessed the disposal of chemicals including hydrochloric acid and xylene."They were being told to connect the lines with the tankers and just run it into public land, which is right next door, outside of their property line," Godinez said.