Gary, Indiana, is home to America's largest steel mill, and one of the nation's largest Black populations. As residents grapple with breathing in toxic air, some are fighting to make it cleaner.

Gary

Gary, Indiana, is heavily impacted by air pollution from nearby steel mills, with residents reporting health concerns such as cancer potentially linked to industrial emissions. EPA data shows that the three major steel mills in the region emit more pollution than similar facilities elsewhere in the United States. Local officials, including the mayor, are calling for tougher emission standards, but there are concerns about potential regulatory rollbacks at the federal and state levels.

The city, which has a majority Black population and lower average income, has not received the same level of federal support for pollution reduction as other, whiter and more affluent communities. Residents argue that demographic factors may influence the allocation of environmental resources and attention, and continue to advocate for cleaner air and improved public health.

Residents near America's largest steel mill fight for cleaner air

As the wind blows through her hometown of Gary. Beryl Fitzpatrick takes it in with a deep breath. One she no longer takes for granted. Nobody wants to hear you have cancer. With Beryl, you can hear her cancer as she speaks. She's been battling stage three tongue cancer. The air in her own backyard could be playing a role. Good morning to you. It's what Dr. Kirsten Stenson, who heads the Head and Neck Cancer Program at Rush Medical Center, told Beryl. It's almost certain that her place of residence with the high pollution and other industrial output contributed to her cancer. Pollutants you can see and tiny particulates you can't come from different types of industry in the Gary region. But of all the industry, one releases the most, EPA records show, these steel production plants. Seven major coal-powered steel production plants operate in the US. Three are in this region, Burns Harbor, Gary Works, and Indiana Harbor. We analyzed Environmental Protection Agency data and found these three Indiana mills emitted more industrial pollution than the combined toxic releases of the four similar mills in other states. There's some irony to, you know, steel built this town and now what we're looking at is how steel made this town sick. I mean, that's a stark reality that a lot of folks would have to deal with. That's Gary's mayor, Eddie Melton. He wants tougher toxic emission standards. But how likely is that to happen? In March, the federal EPA announced it's considering lowering some standards polluters have to meet. What we're seeing from a federal and state government concerns me in terms of rolling back the regulations on industries such as the steel industry. Both the state and US EPA declined interviews, but sent statements saying they take action when facilities are out of compliance, and that's reduced air emissions. Gary already fails to meet federal air quality standards. The county has more toxic releases than 99% of all other counties across the country. More than 76% of the people living in Gary are black. The average income, less than $23,000. About a four hour drive from Gary, there's a steel plant in Middletown, Ohio. It's getting a major portion of a $500 million federal grant to change the steel making process and cut hazardous pollution in that city, which has an average income of $30,000 and it's 73% white. The Ohio plant was getting federal help to change its steel making process and cut pollution. Beryl believes Gary's demographics play a role in the pollution not getting cleaned up. I am worthy, no matter what you think about my black skin, and I am a person worthy of a good life.

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