The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) hosted a community meeting to share information with Payne-Phalen community members. Representatives from the MPCA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Ramsey County Health Department were present to answer questions about the modeled, or computer generated, elevated lead and particulate matter levels from the Northern Iron facility and answered questions from residents.
A brief presentation began at 5:45 p.m. Following the presentation, the event transitioned to an open house format where representatives from the agencies and departments were available to answer questions on a variety of topics.
Northern Iron LLC is owned by Lawton Standard and located in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood. The facility operates under an MPCA air permit that is currently open for renewal. Northern Iron LLC produces gray, austempered ductile and ductile castings. The three-furnace foundry can make castings up to 250 pounds.
The MPCA is working on an enforcement investigation to address modeled elevated lead emissions at Northern Iron. Air quality modeled data from Northern Iron suggests that national ambient air quality standards have been exceeded.
Learn more about the investigation, get guidance for residents, and sign up for email updates on the MPCA's Northern Iron page.