Rollback of steel mill pollution regulations threatens public health, environmentalists say

A delay and potential future elimination of steel mill regulations meant to limit hazardous air pollution puts public health at risk, environmentalists say.

A new report by the Environmental Integrity Project found an air monitor at U.S. Steel's Gary Works mill registered a chromium level at the fenceline of 0.155 micrograms per cubic meter over a six-month period in 2022 that was more than double the threshold for contributing to chronic health problems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took seven enforcement actions against the steel mill along Gary's lakefront for violating the Clean Air Act over the last five years.

The Environmental Integrity Project said relaxing the regulations would potentially expose the public to dangerous levels of toxic pollutants, including benzene a