Northern Iron LLC operates an iron foundry that manufactures metal castings and machined parts at 867 Forest St. N. in Saint Paul’s Payne-Phalen neighborhood, an area of concern for environmental justice.
In February 2024, the MPCA received new air emission modeling, or computer estimates, that indicated the foundry’s lead and particulate matter emissions were highly likely exceeding national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). The agency issued an administrative order on April 16 requiring Northern Iron to reduce these emissions to meet air quality standards within 30 days.
On May 21, the Ramsey County District Court ordered both parties into mediation. On June 21, the mediation ended. The MPCA cannot discuss the mediation due to a duty of confidentiality.
On June 27, attorneys for MPCA and Northern Iron met with the Ramsey County District Court judge to discuss next steps. The judge laid out a scheduling order, requesting motions be filed in early July for a protective order from Northern Iron and a motion to dismiss from the MPCA.
On July 11, the Ramsey County District Court issued a temporary injunction that allows Northern Iron to increase its operations and lifted provisions of the MPCA’s administrative order that limited production to ensure it meets national ambient air quality standards.
On Aug. 28, the Ramsey County District court ordered Northern Iron install two additional regulatory monitors at their facility.
On Sept. 10, Northern Iron submitted an amended air permit application to the MPCA. The agency informed the court and Northern Iron on Sept. 13 that the application was deemed incomplete. Northern Iron submitted supplemental application materials on Sept. 16. The MPCA is reviewing the application for completeness. The amended application will be made available on this webpage once the internal completeness review is finished.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 7, 2024.
Our role
Several state agencies, along with city and county governments, have regulatory roles over a facility like Northern Iron. The MPCA is responsible for issuing and enforcing Northern Iron's air permit, which is designed to limit emissions to federal and state health standards.
Air monitoring
The MPCA has installed a regulatory air monitor near Northern Iron to measure lead and fine particle concentrations. The air monitor continually measures 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.
This table shows the lead concentration values from samples collected by the Northern Iron monitor along with the wind direction on those days. The EPA's action level is 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter.
| Sampling date | Lead sample value (µg/m3)* | Predominant wind direction (degrees)* |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-04 | 0.002209 | N** |
| 2024-04-06 | 0.0303 | SE** |
| 2024-04-09 | 0.001894 | SSW** |
| 2024-04-12 | 0.003892 | NW** |
| 2024-04-18 | 0.00168 | NW** |
| 2024-04-24 | 0.003827 | E** |
| 2024-04-30 | 0.002395 | W** |
| 2024-05-06 | 0.003195 | SE** |
| 2024-05-12 | 0.005489 | SW** |
| 2024-05-18 | 0.001969 | SSE*** |
| 2024-05-24 | 0.001772 | S*** |
| 2024-05-30 | 0.003064 | SSE*** |
| 2024-06-05 | 0.002033 | S*** |
| 2024-06-11 | 0.003059 | S*** |
| 2024-06-17 | 0.005227 | NE*** |
| 2024-06-23 | 0.003573 | S/SSE*** |
| 2024-06-29 | 0.001493 | N/NNE*** |
| 2024-07-05 | 0.001516 | N/NNE*** |
| 2024-07-17 | 0.00433 | N*** |
| 2024-07-23 | 0.01316 | NNE*** |
| 2024-07-29 | 0.00584 | N/NNE*** |
| 2024-08-04 | 0.0024 | NNE*** |
* background Twin Cities lead level is 0.01 µg/m3
** monitor is SSW of building; wind data from St. Paul Airport
*** wind direction from monitor
The MPCA also reviews air emission factors and preliminary air quality modeling data to estimate maximum potential pollution from Northern Iron.
Community air sensors
Sensors currently gather data on air quality near Northern Iron.
Guidance for residents
No level of lead is safe for people, and elevated levels of lead can impact residents’ health. Children are most at risk for health impacts.
Minnesota Department of Health blood level screening guidelines recommend all children receive a blood lead test around 12 and 24 months of age. Older children and pregnant adults should be tested when additional risk factors are present.
Community meeting
The MPCA held a community meeting on May 22 at the Saint Paul Eastside YMCA to discuss Northern Iron and address community questions.
Recent MPCA action
- 2020: The MPCA found unauthorized changes at Northern Iron that resulted in increased particulate matter emissions.
- 2022: The MPCA conducted an announced inspection at Northern Iron.
- 2023: The MPCA fined Northern Iron $41,500 for air permit violations. The company was required to conduct air quality modeling.
More information
Subscribe to the Northern Iron GovDelivery list to receive updates about Northern Iron, including air monitoring, permitting, and public comment opportunities.
Northern Iron’s What’s In My Neighborhood page includes more site history and a document archive that includes previous permits, violations, stipulation agreement, and August 2023 performance stack test results.