A coalition of MVG Sierra Club members and neighbors met with officials of the City of Omaha Mayor's office, Public Works Department, and Douglas County Health Department Monday morning to submit a petition requesting state of the air monitoring and testing of emissions from Omaha Steel Castings, a foundry at 4601 Farnam street adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Omaha Steel is one of two steel foundries in the entire United States that is a major source of hazardous air pollutants, according to an EPA official. Currently the only air pollution equipment employed by the foundry is that for particulates (dust and smoke), and particulates are the only emissions monitored by regulators. The foundry also emits fumes and gases which have a highly objectionable smell. Omaha Steel reports releasing tons of hazardous air pollutants annually, and we have a right to know what they are especially since neighbors report health problems associated with the foundry.

The meeting was a positive one, and we are pleased that the City and County are planning to contract with the Environmental Protection Agency Region VII to do the additional monitoring and testing requested. The EPA also will do the air modeling we asked for. We will be meeting again with government officials this summer to discuss progress and results.

Prior to the meeting the coalition held a rally and press conference outside the Civic Center, and following the meeting several members of the coalition met with media representatives in the neighborhood for additional coverage.

This article originally appeared in the June, 2002, issue of the Nebraska Sierran (vol. 29, no. ?, p. 3B)