Based on Omaha Steel Castings' 2000 air permit, Omaha Steel is one of two steel foundries in the United States that is a major source of hazardous air pollutants, according to EPA criteria.
Hazardous air pollutants can "...cause or contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness. "(Nebraska Administrative Code, Title 129, Ch. 1, Sec.048.)
Omaha Steel Castings emits both particulates (dust and smoke) and gases or fumes. While there is vacuum cleaner-like pollution control equipment for the particulates, there is no pollution control for the fumes and gases, except as they might happen to be caught up with the dust.
Some of the foundry's uncontrolled emissions are hazardous. In 1999 Omaha Steel emitted about 6 tons of the hazardous air pollutants manganese, naphthalene, and phenol as fugitive emissions. Fugitive emissions bypass stacks and chimneys, escaping through such avenues as open windows and an openended building. In 2000 Omaha Steel emitted about 3.8 tons of hazardous air pollutants. This data was reported by the factory.
Emissions data reported by the factory and government regulators is based on a formula which considers what and how much raw material is used in the manufacturing process over a period of time. It does not include all air pollutants that were actually emitted, such as those which are the result of chemical reactions during the manufacturing process.
Air monitoring is done outside the factory to verify the factory is operating according to its air permit. The only monitoring done of Omaha Steel's air pollutant emissions has been the measurement of the quantity of particulates released. No one has ever monitored the gases or odors. Recent attempts by city and county regulators to analyze what pollutants might have been trapped in the dust monitor mounted near KPTM are not sufficient because more sophisticated equipment is needed.

You can express your concern by requesting that the City of Omaha, with the help of other government regulators, monitor Omaha Steel Castings' emissions for hazardous air pollutants, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals, as well as determine the geographic distribution and impact of the foundry's emissions.

Please call Frances Swanson 614-0230, Kelly Coffey 554-0609, or Carole Larson 558-4663 for further information.