Report Finds Indiana Steel Mills Third Worst Polluters

(photo courtesy Joseph Pete/The Times of Northwest Indiana)

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recently released its 2017 Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report three steel mills, including two in northwest Indiana, generated the most toxic releases that could pose a threat to human health, ranking Indiana third worst nationally in the release of toxic chemicals per square mile according to the data. 

Gary Works released 25.2 million pounds of toxic chemicals, the biggest polluter in the state. ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor in East Chicago was third statewide with 7.3 million pounds released that year.

Gary Works and ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor accounted for more than a fourth of the chemicals released statewide.

“It is possible for American industry to be both good stewards of the environment and good for the economy,” EPA Regional Administrator Cathy Stepp told the publication. “Through our commitment of providing regulatory certainty and working together with our industry partners, we can promote a strong and robust economy, while preventing environmental harm.”

To read the full story from The Times of Northeast Indiana, click here.