Gopher Resource recycles lead-acid batteries at its Eagan facility. The facility operates under air, industrial stormwater, and hazardous waste permits from the MPCA.
From January through March 2025, MPCA air monitoring data showed elevated lead levels that exceeded national ambient air quality standards at the facility. That data and air modeling suggest that elevated lead air concentrations were likely restricted to within about three-quarters of a mile of the facility, with the highest areas of lead directly along the facility’s northern property line.
MPCA air monitoring data indicates that lead levels in the month of April returned to acceptable levels according to the federal standards that protect human health and the environment. An MPCA inspection of Gopher Resource this spring confirms that the source of the elevated lead levels has been addressed.
No amount of lead in the body is safe. Even small amounts can be harmful, especially for children. While potential lead emissions from this facility may affect the health of nearby residents, other common sources of lead include lead-based paint used in buildings, soil contaminated with lead from exterior paint on buildings, or the past use of leaded gasoline.
Data from the area around Gopher Resource have not shown higher-than-normal levels of lead in children.
Our role
The MPCA is responsible for issuing and enforcing permits that limit air emissions and water discharge from Gopher Resource’s operations to protect the environment and health of Minnesotans. Those permits reflect current state laws and regulations. Both the MPCA and Dakota County inspect the facility on a regular basis.
The MPCA issued the facility’s current air permit in December 2022. The MPCA will require Gopher Resource to submit an updated air permit application.
The MPCA is committed to working with our partners at Dakota County and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to inform the Eagan community about lead emissions. The MPCA, Dakota County, and MDH will jointly host an informational meeting for the community on June 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Eagan Community Center.
Community meeting
The MPCA, Dakota County, and the Minnesota Department of Health will jointly host an informational meeting for the community on June 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Eagan Community Center.
Air monitoring
The MPCA has operated a regulatory air monitor near Gopher Resource since 2006 to measure lead, total suspended particles, and other metals concentrations. The MPCA takes samples from the air monitor every three days to measure pollutants to help the MPCA improve and protect outdoor air. With this data, the agency can track pollution trends over time to show whether outdoor air meets air quality standards and health benchmarks. Air monitors have strict requirements and are tested often to ensure high quality data.
The federal standard for lead is 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), averaged over three months of monitoring data. Data below show the three-month rolling average of monitored lead concentration values from samples collected by the Gopher Resource monitor.
- January 2025 – 0.19 µg/m3
- February 2025 – 0.21 µg/m3
- March 2025 – 0.23 µg/m3
The monitoring data from April 2025 are lower. The MPCA does not have enough data yet to calculate the final three-month rolling average for April 2025, but based on initial data the level is 0.087 µg/m3.
Location
Gopher Resource is located at 685 Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan. It is in an area mostly zoned for industrial with some residential areas and parks nearby. Residents fish several lakes near this facility for food consumption and recreation. According to the MPCA's environmental justice mapping tool, 33% of the people near the facility are people of color.
Timeline
- 2006 — MPCA air monitoring began.
- 2007-2009 — MPCA air monitoring showed Gopher Resource was not meeting federal air quality standards for lead, leading the MPCA to designate the area where Gopher Resource is located a lead nonattainment area.
- 2009 — Gopher Resource implemented additional lead controls to come into compliance with lead standards.
- Aug. 24, 2015 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the MPCA's determination that the area where Gopher Resource is located meets the federal lead air quality standards based on three years of quality-assured data.
- January-March 2025 — MPCA air monitors measured elevated levels of lead at Gopher Resource.
- May 29, 2025 — MPCA issued a notice of violation for exceeding lead air quality standards.
More information
MDH’s routine Minnesota Childhood Blood Lead Screening Guidelines recommend all children receive a blood lead test around 12 and 24 months of age. Older children and adults should be tested if there are other risks. Residents who are concerned about their lead exposure should discuss blood lead testing with their health care provider.
For those who do not have insurance or a health care provider, find blood lead testing options on the MDH website.
