Local Issues: Air & Water Quality - Omaha Steel Castings

In Your Backyard: Omaha Steel Castings

By Carole Larson and Dorothy Lanphier
July, 2001

Part 1 | Part 2

Omaha Steel Castings Plant

Perhaps one of Omaha's best-kept secrets is the existence of a steel foundry in the heart of Omaha's residential neighborhoods. Tucked almost below street level on Farnam street between 46th and 48th streets, in an ancient structure reminiscent of 19th century factory buildings, Omaha Steel Castings emits tons of toxic air pollution annually. According to 1999 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data, about 95% of toxic emissions are fugitive or uncontrolled, for example escaping through open windows. The other 5% are channeled through stacks little higher than Farnam street level. As neighbors can attest, the effluent can be carried by prevailing winds along the ground to be inhaled by everyone in its path. It also affects property, as can be seen by the reddish-stained sidewalk on 48th street along the western edge of the plant site.

In 1999, the most recent year for which TRI data are available, the toxic chemicals emitted into the air by Omaha Steel Castings were naphthalene, 11,378 pounds as fugitive emissions; manganese, 250 pounds fugitive emissions and 250 pounds stack emissions; and phenol, 66 pounds fugitive emissions and 62 pounds stack emissions. The total for these emissions is 12,006 pounds, just over 6 tons. This figure represents an approximate one-third reduction in toxic air emissions a year earlier, when 17,306 pounds were discharged. In 1998 the noncancer risk score of Omaha Steel Castings for releases to air and/or water ranked in the top 70-80 per cent of the dirtiest facilities in the United States.

Napathalene and phenol are suspected of being cardiovascular or blood toxicants, developmental toxicants, kidney toxicants, neurotoxicants, respiratory toxicants, and skin or sense organ toxicants, according to an Environmental Defense Fund Web site, Scorecard, where consumers can identify the polluters and pollutants in their communities (www.scorecard.org). Napthalene is a possible carcinogen as well, while phenol is also a suspected gastrointestinal or liver toxicant. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, by Richard Lewis, lists possible symptoms of naphthalene exposure as irritated eyes and skin, nausea, headache, perspiration, blood in the urine, fever, anemia, liver damage, vomiting, convulsions and coma. Poisoning can occur if large amounts are inhaled, eaten or absorbed through the skin. Phenol is a eye and skin irritant, and is moderately toxic by skin contact Manganese is suspected of being a gastrointestinal or liver toxicant, a neurotoxicant, a reproductive toxicant, and a respiratory toxicant. According to Sax, inhalation of manganese can cause eye and skin irritation, degenerative brain changes, changes in motor activity and muscle weakness.

Apart from toxic air pollutants, Omaha Steel Castings is responsible for emitting large amounts of what are called criteria air pollutants as well. Criteria air pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, PM-10 (particulates), sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCS). In 1996, the latest year for which data is available, Omaha Steel discharged 335.87 tons of criteria air pollutants, primarily nitrogen oxides and PM-10. The factory ranked in the 60-70 per cent category for the dirtiest facilities in the United States for these two substances. Compared to Nebraska sites, Omaha Steel ranked in the 60-70 per cent category for dirtiest facilities for sulfur dioxide and in the 70-80 per cent category for VOCS. In Douglas County, Omaha Steel came in third for nitrogen oxide, twelfth for sulfur dioxide, and fifth for PM-10 emissions. According to Sax, nitrogen oxide is moderately toxic when inhaled, serving as a general anesthetic and causing a decrease in pulse rate and body temperature. Sulfur dioxide is a poison gas which humans can tolerate below toxic concentrations for "fair periods of time with no apparent permanent damage," according to Sax. More information can be found on the Scorecard Web site under criteria air pollutants.

How is it that a factory such as Omaha Steel Castings can be located so close to residential neighborhoods, universities and hospitals? Apparently there is a grandfather clause permitting the operation of this facility, since it is claimed to be older than its neighbors. Founded in 1906, the plant's operations have varied over the years and included the manufacture of war goods sometime in the first half of the 20th century. In 1987 new owners came on board, and in 1990 the foundry added new equipment and expanded production. Current employees number approximately 200, and sales are $18 million. In 1990, when annual revenues were in the $15 million range, Omaha Steel melted up to 60 tons of steel per day. The factory does have a national market.

The increase in production by Omaha Steel Castings brought with it a rise in TRI air emissions from 359 pounds in 1991 to a maximum of 20,576 pounds in 1995, according to EPA data. Citizen complaints grew accordingly. About ten years ago the closest residential neighbors organized under the name South Dundee Residents' Association in an attempt to seek relief from Omaha Steel's air pollution. To what extent that group's efforts were successful is open to debate. A talk with a current resident close to the foundry revealed she still calls the City of Omaha to complain, and that a year ago November a roofer hired to reshingle her garage had to quit for two days because he couldn't tolerate the factory emissions which irritated his nose and chest and caused him shortness of breath. The EPA is sending complaint data to the authors under a Freedom of Information request and this will appear in part 2 of this article.

Based on the 1990 Census, EPA figures reveal that 139,866 persons, and 59,211 households, reside within a three-mile radius of Omaha Steel Castings. The population density is nearly 4873 people per square mile. Approximately 24 per cent of the residents are minors 17 years and younger. Young children are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of a given amount of chemicals due to their smaller size. The three-mile radius extends roughly from Ames avenue on the north, 9th street to the east, L street to the south, and 84th street to the west, and encompasses much of what was Omaha 40 years ago. Some of the neighborhoods included are Dundee, Memorial Park, Happy Hollow, Elmwood Park, Fairacres, Westside, Benson, Country Club, Fontenelle Park, Walnut Hill, Cathedral, Bemis Park, Gifford Park, Prospect Hill, Downtown Omaha, Hanscom Park, St. Thomas More, Beals and Holy Cross. Winds blow tons of effluent from Omaha Steel Castings to and beyond any of these neighborhoods.

Look for part 2 of this article in next newsletter. Part 2 will deal with applicable laws and regulations, Omaha Steel Castings' compliance, enforcement and citizen complaints.

This article originally appeared in the July, 2001 issue of the Missouri Valley Sierran (vol. 28, no. ?, p. 1)

Part 2