Gary, Indiana residents living near steel mills face alarming health risks as a new two-year study reveals dangerously high levels of toxic metals in their air and soil, with researchers establishing direct links to specific steel production facilities.
At a Glance
- A comprehensive two-year study found lead levels in Gary’s soil more than twice the EPA’s reference level for polluted areas
- Airborne dust in Lake County is nearly three times more plentiful and smaller than comparable Indiana cities, posing greater lung health risks
- 81% of manganese air contamination in northern Lake County was traced specifically to U.S. Steel’s Gary Works
- Doctors report cancer rates 12-26% higher for residents living near steel plants
- Gary’s predominantly Black, low-income population raises significant environmental justice concerns
Extensive Testing Reveals Dangerous Contamination Levels
A landmark two-year environmental study in Gary, Indiana has tested over 20 types of contaminants in the region, with researchers collecting nearly 400 road dust samples and data from air monitors at more than 300 locations throughout Gary and northern Lake County. The findings paint a troubling picture of the environmental conditions residents face daily. Lead and iron contamination in the soil registered at particularly concerning levels, with lead exceeding twice the EPA’s reference level for areas classified as polluted. The study represents one of the most comprehensive environmental assessments ever conducted in the region.
The study also revealed that airborne dust particles in Lake County are nearly three times more abundant and significantly smaller than those found in comparable Indiana cities. This creates heightened health risks as smaller particles more easily penetrate deep into lung tissue.
Using advanced low-cost PurpleAir monitors, researchers were able to collect more frequent air quality data than traditional EPA monitoring stations provide, creating a more detailed picture of contamination patterns throughout the region. Researchers from multiple universities collaborated on this effort, employing sophisticated techniques to analyze samples and map contamination hotspots.
Specific Steel Mills Identified as Major Pollution Sources
The study didn’t just document contamination – it traced pollutants back to their sources. Researchers identified Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Mill as a significant contributor to Gary’s iron contamination, while U.S. Steel’s Gary Works facility was pinpointed as the primary source of manganese contamination. According to the study, U.S. Steel’s operations account for 81% of all Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reported air releases in northern Lake County in 2023. This finding establishes a direct link between specific industrial operations and environmental health hazards in the community.
“Particulate matter can cause many adverse health effects, such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and cancer.”, said Jung Hyun Lee.
U.S. Steel has disputed the study’s methodology, particularly its reliance on the EPA’s TRI database, claiming it “does not consider the full picture of environmental compliance.” Meanwhile, Andrew Fulton, representing the company, maintains that “The EPA recently determined that emissions from integrated iron and steelmaking facilities, including Gary Works, are protective of human health and the environment with an ample margin of safety.” This statement stands in stark contrast to the study’s findings and the experiences of many local residents.
Cancer Rates and Personal Impact
The environmental concerns aren’t merely theoretical – they have real impacts on residents’ health. Doctors, environmental groups, and residents in Gary are investigating the apparent connection between steel mill pollution and high cancer rates. Industrial Labs has reported a 12% to 26% higher cancer risk for those living near steel plants compared to the general population. Seven major coal-powered steel plants currently operate in the United States, with three concentrated in the Gary region. In 2023 alone, these three mills emitted 25 million pounds of toxins, more than similar facilities in other states.
“It’s almost certain that her place of residence, with the high pollution and other industrial output contributed to her cancer.”, said Dr. Kerstin Stenson.
The human toll is evident in stories like that of resident Beryl Fitzpatrick, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 tongue cancer despite having no family history of the disease and no traditional risk factors. Dr. Kerstin Stenson, who treated Fitzpatrick, directly linked her cancer to environmental factors. Gary residents also face elevated risks for asthma and other respiratory conditions. Mayor Eddie Melton has begun advocating for stricter emissions standards to protect public health. Since 1977, the EPA has taken 152 formal actions against steel facilities, resulting in significant fines for violations.
Environmental Justice Concerns
The environmental crisis in Gary takes on additional significance given the city’s demographics. The population is predominantly Black and low-income, raising serious environmental justice concerns. The study highlighted what researchers called an “inequity issue,” noting that fenceline communities near industrial sites often lack adequate environmental testing and regulatory protection. Gary’s industrial history dates back to the Great Migration, when there was little awareness of the potential health risks associated with steel production and other heavy industry.
“My experience has been that northern Lake County is a community with not a ton of environmental justice representation”, said Esmee Belzer.
Researchers plan to upload all collected data to the Northern Lake County Environmental Partnership website, providing a valuable resource for community members, policy makers, and health officials. Medical researchers are continuing work to establish even more direct causal links between specific air pollutants and cancer rates, particularly head and neck cancers that appear unusually common in the region. As Dr. Mihir Bhayani explained, “What we are working on currently is, again, a direct causal link between air pollution and head and neck cancer.”
