EPA & ACHD Fine US Steel to Settle Air Pollution at Braddock

The US Steel Corporation will pay a USD 1.5 million penalty and make extensive improvements at its steel production facility in Braddock in Pennsylvania as part of a settlement announced by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Allegheny County Health Department for longstanding air pollution violations. The consent decree addresses numerous Clean Air Act violations dating back to 2016 at the steelmaking facility known as Edgar Thomson Works that occupies about 250 acres and employs about 900 workers. The one-mile radius around the facility is an area of potential environmental justice concern, exceeding the state average for the percentage of low-income populations and for minority populations.Under the settlement, US Steel is required to make numerous improvements in training, monitoring and work practices to increase compliance and timely response to air pollution. Additionally, the company is tasked with conducting studies on potential improvements to its pollution control systems.The primary pollutant of concern is particulate matter, including PM 2.5. Particulate matter contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Some particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter can get deep into your lungs and some may even get into your bloodstream. Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) pose the greatest risk to health, including susceptibility to respiratory diseases, including acute respiratory distress, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.The Edgar Thomson Steel Works is a steel mill in the Pittsburgh area communities of Braddock and North Braddock in Pennsylvania. It has been active since 1872. It is currently owned by US Steel and is known as Mon Valley Works Edgar Thomson Plant. Mon Valley Works has an annual raw steel production capability of 2.9 million net tons.

EPA & ACHD Fine US Steel to Settle Air Pollution at Braddock

Strategic Research Institute

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