Overview

• The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has allegedly ignored five years of air emission violations by Smith Foundry, an iron casting company operating in Minneapolis for 100 years.
• In an unexpected inspection this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the foundry has been routinely emitting particulate-matter pollution at rates almost double or more than the legal limit.
• The particulate matter released by the foundry has the potential to cause serious health conditions including heart attacks and severe asthma.
• Despite yearly reports indicating violations submitted by Smith Foundry to the MPCA, the state agency took no actions due to a lack of requirement for companies to submit data needed to determine violation.
• The foundry, currently owned by Zynik Capital, has begun corrective measures including replacing filters, welding cracks, and replacing defective vents in response to the EPA's demand for compliance.