Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Accused of Ignoring Five Years of Emission Violations by Smith Foundry

EPA documents reveal excessive particulate matter pollution in yearly reports from Smith Foundry, highlighting regulatory oversight by state agency.

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.